Customer stories
Hospital pharmacists save hours every week by accessing real-time data
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Healthcare professionals who can access real-time patient records at any time have a full picture of a person's health. Quick access helps them make better decisions at the point of care — but it’s only possible if different systems can work together.
Interoperable technology that connects patient data across all systems and settings is key to achieving this. Shared Record Viewer (SRV) gives immediate access to the Medical Interoperability Gateway (MIG®) and bridges gaps in patient data. It provides clinicians access to up-to-date patient records whenever and wherever they need it.
Clinical teams at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Trust deliver care across a range of services including mental health, learning disabilities, and substance misuse. We spoke with Karen Chadwick, an advanced mental health pharmacist in the North community mental health teams. She told us how SRV has streamlined workflows and day-to-day processes, whilst improving patient safety by providing immediate access to crucial patient data at the point of care.
A transformative tool for hospital pharmacists
The Trust, which serves 8,000 patients across the region with severe mental illness, plus many more short term patients, rolled out SRV which has resulted in a reduction in administration time for staff and increased time spent caring for patients.
“Before using Shared Record Viewer, we could only access patient information through the NHS Summary Care Record, which was cumbersome. Patients had to complete consent forms, and we often relied on paper records to verify information. This process was time-consuming and took time away from patient care,” Karen explained.
Instant access to medical records
SRV, an internet-first, browser-based portal, offers real-time views of patient records held in various healthcare systems. Before its adoption, hospital pharmacists faced significant challenges accessing patients' GP records to verify medication history, allergies, and other key information. This reliance on paper records was both time-consuming and an administrative burden, especially when caring for patients out of hours.
Shared Record Viewer has transformed our workflow.”
“Pharmacists can now view vital information from GP records in EMIS Web and TPP practices, saving up to an hour per patient” Karen said.
SRV displays the Detailed Care Record’s ten tabs of information from a patient's primary care record. For Karen, the chronological order of the data is particularly beneficial, making it quick and easy to find important relevant information during consultations.
“I no longer face challenges that slow me down during patient consultations. I have all the information I need at my fingertips, including medication history and pathology results, all in one place. Shared Record Viewer is a gem.”
Shared Record Viewer is a gem.”
Better patient experience and safety
Access to the system has equipped hospital pharmacists and inpatient teams with up-to-date information about their patients. Viewing GP data before a consultation facilitates meaningful conversations and improves patient interactions, leading to more effective and efficient consultations. Clinicians no longer rely on patients to recall complex medication details, reducing the likelihood of errors and resulting in better-informed clinical decisions.
“The pathology information, within the Investigations tab, is particularly useful for checking a patient’s renal function to assess that the kidneys will be able to handle the elimination of medications effectively.”
Safer prescribing
Karen highlighted the importance of having access to rich patient information.
“I can view both physical and mental health information, which is crucial for delivering holistic person centred care. For example, certain antipsychotic and antidepressant medications that dilate the pupils are unsuitable for patients with glaucoma. Without Shared Record Viewer, I wouldn’t have current diagnosis information to prescribe safely.”
She also shared instances where accessing patient records helps mitigate adverse drug events.
“Shared Record Viewer helps us make informed decisions, such as avoiding beta blockers like Propranolol for asthmatic or diabetic patients, as these can worsen their conditions. Having this information where and when we need it helps prevent adverse drug events and ensures safer patient care.”
The adoption of Shared Record Viewer has made a positive impact on day-to-day processes at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Trust. By providing a holistic, real-time view of patient data, SRV has enhanced clinical decision-making, reduced administrative tasks, and improved patient interactions, ultimately leading to better healthcare delivery.