Cambridge University Hospital achieves international quality standard in technology
Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) in the UK has achieved the highest rating by HIMMS for its use of technology to support patient care
After a ‘rigorous’ assessment, the US-based Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMMS) has awarded CUH a ‘Stage 7’ rating for its use of technology, data, and analytics to support inpatient care.
HIMMS is a non-profit organisation, which using the Analytics international Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model to rates hospitals around the world for their use of technology to improve patient safety, care quality, cost effectiveness, and access to services.
The Stage 7 rating is currently held by only six other European healthcare institutions.
Electronic patient record enhances medical case management
One example of the CUH’s innovative use of technology is the handheld device used by nurses called Epic, which integrates with the electronic patient record system to scan barcodes and safely administer medication to patients.
“A tremendous amount of work has taken place over the six years since we implemented our trust-wide Epic electronic patient record system,” said Dr Afzal Chaudhry, Trust Consultant Nephrologist and Director of Digital. “In 2014, we successfully moved away from using paper patient records and introduced fully digital ways of documenting patient care and accessing clinical information.”
He added: “Today, over 99 per cent of all of our clinical activity is recorded within patients’ electronic health record within Epic.” Over at Hospitals & Healthcare, we know that the implementation of technology in the healthcare setting can help streamline international patient assistance too. A more accurate health record means more accurate treatment and continuation of care.
Using tech to further optimise patient care
Dr Ewen Cameron, Executive Director of Improvement and Transformation at the trust, added that CUH continues to build upon what it now has: “We are continuing to harness digital technologies and capabilities to further optimise patient care, safety and effectiveness of our services for many years to come.”