Because EMIS Web supports individual services and clinics and can be adapted to suit different organisations and ways of working, it was ideal for the team at St Michael’s. They handle both NHS and private contracts, so having an NHS compliant system that worked for their private services too was vital.
The clinic receives referrals from across Shropshire, Telford and North Powys for all types of skin problems. It was therefore crucial that the team had access to a system that helped them effectively manage their workflow and save time while still providing safe and effective care. They needed a system that allowed them to identify which of their patients and contracts were private and which ones came from different commissioners in the NHS. Collecting this information would mean they could correctly file, manage and bill each contract.
Saving time and money by simplifying tasks
Using EMIS Web, the team have been able to save both time and money by simplifying tasks like billing and lab reporting. With EMIS Web, these tasks can be done electronically, cutting back on paper wastage and printing costs while also saving time. “It used to take a long time to accurately compile the activity for each commissioner and do the billing every month. Now it’s much easier, so it’s saved a lot of management time,” explains Paul Haycox, business manager at St Michael’s Clinic Ltd.
Jamie Darlington, the clinic’s IT manager, has noted the difference receiving electronic reports and results has made. He explained, “Before it would take a lot of scanning and stacks of paper. Now it’s all done electronically which is much more efficient and saves us a huge amount of time.”
Effectively managing workflows for a better patient experience
Being able to digitally manage the flow of patients through the clinic from referral to discharge with EMIS Web’s Patient Admin module has made a considerable difference to the efficiency of the clinic. EMIS Web makes it easier to manage episodes of care, providing the team with the ability to manage multiple referrals for the same patient. Paul Haycox told us, “We’ve used the system to identify where people are in our patient pathway so that now as soon as a referral comes in, the first thing that happens is that they’ll be registered and then electronically triaged to the consultant. This speeds up the triage system and ensures no potential loss of paper. It’s also easier to audit.” The team can also use the system to identify what stage of treatment patients are at to effectively manage the patient journey.