IT system linked to clinical harm still used by 14 trusts

More than a dozen trusts are still using a widely criticised “suboptimal” electronic patient record system, which was discontinued by its supplier more than two years ago, HSJ can reveal.

A total of 14 trusts in England are still using the Lorenzo electronic patient record, made by the firm Dedalus, according to information collected by HSJ.

The supplier announced in 2022 it was no longer offering its Lorenzo product in the UK, and instead encouraging customers to move to its newer Orbis EPR.

Of the 14 trusts still using Lorenzo, eight have yet to carry out a procurement for a replacement, with some blaming a lack of funding.

Many trusts began moving away from Lorenzo in 2020 following the failed National Programme for IT and amid concerns about its quality.

Several incidents of clinical harm have been linked to the system in coroners’ reports and inquests, with issues including record duplication, deleting patient records and failing to send patient letters.

An NHS spokesperson said: “The NHS is investing additional funding to ensure hospitals have the right digital foundations in place to share information effectively so health and care staff can provide better care to patients.

“Electronic Patient Record procurements are large and complex investments for local organisations and implementations are a lengthy endeavour, which is why the NHS is providing comprehensive support to NHS organisations.”

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Source: HSJ, 13 September 2024

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