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Showing results for tags 'Technology'.
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News Article
60% of US patients uncomfortable with AI in healthcare settings, survey finds
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
The adoption of AI tools to simplify processes and workflows is slowly occurring across all industries, including healthcare — though patients largely disagree with clinicians using those tools when providing care, the Pew Research Center survey found. The potential for AI tools to diminish personal connections between patients and providers is a key concern, according to the survey, which included responses from over 11,000 adults in the USA collected in December. Patients also fear their health records could become less secure. Respondents, however, acknowledged potential benefits, including that AI could reduce the number of mistakes providers make. They also expressed optimism about AI’s potential impact on racial and ethnic biases in healthcare settings, even as the technology has been criticised for exacerbating those issues. Among respondents who believe racial biases are an issue in healthcare, about half said they think the tools would reduce the problem, while 15% said it would make it worse and about 30% said it would stay the same. Read full story Source: Healthcare Dive, 23 February 2023 -
EventuntilMore than 1,400 English GP practices, around one in five, offer patients access to their prospective medical records: that means patients can see new entries to their medical records such as tests results, appointment notes and hospital letters online and through the NHS App and certain other apps. This webinar aimed at patients explains more about NHS England's programme to enable patients to access their medical records via the NHS App. Hear from: Patients Association members Claude and Greta about what the benefits are to them of being able to access their health information digitally GP Dr Brian McMillan, a Senior Clinical Lecturer at the Centre for Primary Care and Health Services Research, University of Manchester, and a Registered Health Psychologist, whose research interests include how digital technology can improve patients' experiences of primary care Registered nurse Tristan Stanton who is Assistant Director of Programmes – Primary Care, at NHS England and leads the programme to give people access to their online health records. The Patients Association's Chief Executive, Rachel Power, will chair the webinar. Sign up for the webinar
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News Article
NHS signs nationwide £20m deal for ‘electronic infection control’ systems
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
The NHS has signed a £20m deal to enable health-service organisations to deploy technology to help better manage the spread of infections. The contract – awarded to US-based healthcare giant Baxter – is intended to offer NHS trusts a means through which they can buy a comprehensive infection-control platform. According to newly published commercial information such a system would, in many cases, replace various specialist software programmes used by NHS trusts to collect and process data, alongside spreadsheets and paper documents. “The system will support infection prevention and control activities to identify critical issues, proactively respond to improve the quality of care and streamline processes to reduce time spent on administrative and reporting tasks,” the contract notice said. “Most NHS Trusts tend to manage infection control surveillance through the use of various systems, collating laboratory, patient and surgery data and manually searching through the data to identify patients of interest or complex scenarios. Paper and excel spreadsheets are also used to record and manage surveillance. This process is time consuming and risk of error. NHS trusts are finding that they do not have a robust infection control system to monitor and manage their patients.” Read full story Source: Public Technology, 15 February 2023 -
EventThe implementation of policies from the centre, getting systems talking to each other and bridging the gap between analysts and clinicians all remain system-wide issues. The HSJ Data & Analytics Forum is a unique opportunity to challenge thinking, discuss challenges openly and share best practice through a blend of keynote speeches, panel sessions and intimate round-table discussions. Register for this event
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News Article
First patient in UK fitted with sensor to give early heart failure alert
Patient_Safety_Learning posted a news article in News
A heart failure patient has become the first in the UK to be fitted with an early warning sensor the size of a pen lid which gives off an alert if their condition deteriorates. Consultant cardiologists Dr Andrew Flett and Dr Peter Cowburn have pioneered the procedure to fit the FIRE1 System during trials at University Hospital Southampton (UHS), Hampshire. Dr Flett said: “This innovative new device has the potential to improve patient safety and outcomes in the management of patients with chronic heart failure and we are delighted to be the first site in the UK to implant as part of this ground-breaking study". Read full story Source: The Independent, 12 February 2023 -
Content ArticleThis report by The Queen's Nursing Institute presents the findings of a survey of community nurses (also known as district nurses) conducted in 2022 to look at how digital technologies are used in community nursing. The survey found that: 43.1% respondents reported problems with lack of compatibility between different computer systems, compared to 32.7% in 2017 87% respondents reported issues with mobile connectivity, compared to 85% in 2017 53%.respondents reported problems with device battery life, compared to 29.5% in 2017 The report concludes that overall, the community nursing workforce has a high level of digital literacy and that poor user experience frequently appears to be around design and function rather than a lack of literacy or enthusiasm for technology. The workforce also has an appetite for high functioning technology and can see the potential of new applications, for example, in managing wound care or long-term conditions.
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Content ArticleThe National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) updated their guidance for continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in 2022, recommending that CGM be available to all people living with type 1 diabetes. This review in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism aimed to compare regulatory standards for CGM in the UK and Europe, with those applied in the USA by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and in Australia by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). It describes the processes in place and highlights that the criteria applied in the UK for assessing accuracy do not translate into real-life performance. The authors offer a framework to evaluate CGM accuracy studies critically and conclude that FDA- and TGA-approved indications match the available clinical data, whereas CE marking indications applied in the EU can have discrepancies. They argue that the UK can bolster regulation, but that this need to be balanced to ensure that innovation and timely access to technology for people with type 1 diabetes are not hindered.
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News Article
New strategy to boost NHS access to innovative medical technology
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Patients across the UK are set to benefit from access to safe, effective and innovative equipment and medical devices as part of the first ever medical technology (medtech) strategy published today. The blueprint for boosting NHS medtech will focus on accelerating access to innovative technologies, such as the latest generation of home dialysis machines that enable patients to manage their own health at home and in their day to day lives. It also sets out steps which need to be taken to ensure patients can access safe, effective and innovative technology through the NHS, which can help diagnose, treat and deliver care more quickly, freeing up clinician time. The NHS spends £10 billion a year on medtech including syringes, wheelchairs, Minister of State for Health Will Quince said: "The UK’s innovative spirit delivered revolutionary technology during the pandemic - from COVID tests and ventilators - and we want to harness this in promoting cutting-edge medical advancements to improve patient care. The NHS spends around £10 billion a year on medical technology and I’m looking forward to working with industry to use this as we focus on reducing hospital stays, enhancing diagnosis, preventing illness and freeing up staff time. This new medtech strategy will help build a sustainable NHS with patients at the centre so people can continue to access the right care at the right time." The key aims of the strategy are to: boost the supply of the best equipment to deliver greater resilience to health care challenges, such as pandemics, and enhance NHS performance through modernised technology which will enable faster diagnosis, treatment and ultimately discharge to free up hospital beds. encourage ambitious, innovative research to secure the UK’s position as a global science superpower and attract vital investment for the UK economy and create jobs across the country. In 2021, there were already around 60 different research programmes supporting innovative technologies, representing over £1 billion of funding. increase understanding and awareness of medtech by clinicians which will lead to more informed purchasing on new products and deliver better value for taxpayer money and better services for patients. build on the Life Sciences Vision to improve collaboration between the NHS, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) as an innovation partner to ensure patients can access the right products safely. Read full story Source: DHSC, 3 February 2023 -
Content ArticleMedical technology, or ‘medtech’, is of vital importance to the UK health and care system. The Government's first Medical technology strategy outlines how it will ensure the health and social care system can reliably access safe, effective and innovative medical technologies that support the continued delivery of high-quality care, outstanding patient safety and excellent patient outcomes in a way that makes the best use of taxpayer money.
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News Article
‘Very high’ Do Not Attend rates caused by IT failures, trust discovers
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
An acute trust has discovered an IT issue which appears to have led to ‘very high’ numbers of patients not turning up for their appointments. Bedfordshire Hospitals Foundation Trust discovered appointment letters were being lost, and not sent to patients, during intermittent server failures, its board was told yesterday. The trust’s “did not attend“ rate has been between 10% and 12% over the last year, compared to the national average of 7%, according to its board papers. The issue relates to patients with appointments booked at Luton and Dunstable Hospital. It is not yet clear how many patients were affected. The trust is now planning to ensure every patient with an appointment booked this year receives a new appointment letter, and an apology if they did not previously receive one. Read full story (paywalled) Source: HSJ, 2 February 2023 -
Content ArticleSurgical site infections (SSIs) can have a significant impact on patients, their families and healthcare providers. With shortening inpatient periods, the post-discharge element of surveillance is becoming increasingly important. Proactive surveillance, including digital wound images using patient smartphones, may be an efficient alternative to traditional methods for collecting post-discharge surveillance (PDS). The aim of this study was to determine success in patient enrolment and engagement including reasons for non-response, the time for clinicians to respond to patients, SSI rates, and carbon emissions when conducting PDS using patient smartphones.
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EventuntilIn this research chat, Care Opinion welcomes back Dr Lauren Ramsey of Leeds University to discuss her recent paper: Exploring the sociocultural contexts in which healthcare staff respond to and use online patient feedback in practice: In-depth case studies of three NHS Trusts. Research chats are informal and friendly and last 30 minutes. For the first 15 minutes, Care Opinion CEO James Munro discusses the paper with Lauren and then invite comments and questions via the chat box (or in person if you prefer!). Anyone can come along—you don't need to be academic and you don't even need to read the paper beforehand. So do join us! Register
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News Article
Trust underplayed ‘catastrophic’ IT outage
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
A major London trust has been criticised for ‘underplaying’ the problems caused by a ‘catastrophic’ IT outage, a new report has revealed. The Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation Trust report also noted one patient suffered “moderate harm” and several others “low” level harm after last July’s incident, which was caused by a combination of a heatwave and ageing infrastructure. However, the trust said there was no evidence the “underplaying” of issues was deliberate. The report identified one incident of “moderate” patient harm, in which a patient was unable to receive a pancreas transplant due to staff being unable to safely monitor critical observations. The patient has since had a successful operation, the trust’s report stated. Another 20 “low” harm incidents were reported, which included delays in patients receiving their test results and/or medicines, while the report added the trust could not rule out that “further harm events may be identified” amidst an ongoing harm review. Read full story (paywalled) Source: HSJ, 27 January 2023 -
News Article
Technology can help the NHS, says AstraZeneca boss
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
The chairman of Covid vaccine giant AstraZeneca has said that investment in technology can help the NHS cut costs. Leif Johansson said more spending on areas such as artificial intelligence and screening could prevent illness and stop people going to hospital. The NHS is under severe pressure, with A&E waits at record levels and strike action exacerbating ambulance delays. Mr Johansson said about 97% of healthcare costs come from "when people present at the hospital". He said only the remaining 3% is made up of spending on vaccination, early detection or screening. Mr Johansson told the BBC at the World Economic Forum in Davos: "If we can get into an investment mode in health for screening or prevention or early diagnostics on health and see that as an investment to reduce the cost of sickness then I think we have a much better model over time that would serve us well." Commenting on the UK, he said: "All countries have different systems and the NHS is one which we have learned to live with and I think the Brits, in general, are quite appreciative about it." He said he was not talking about "breaking any healthcare systems down". Rather, he said, "we should embrace technology and science". Read full story Source: BBC News, 23 January 2023 -
Content ArticleHealthcare professionals are encouraged to use feedback from their patients to inform service and quality improvement. This study in the journal Sociology of Health and Illness aimed to understand how three NHS Trusts in England were interacting with patient feedback through online channels. The authors found that organisations demonstrated varying levels of ‘preparedness to perform’ online, from invisibility through to engaging in public conversation with patients within a wider mission for transparency. Engagement varied between the Trusts; one organisation employed restrictive ‘cast lists’ of staff able to respond to patients, while another devolved responding responsibility amongst a wide array of multidisciplinary staff.
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Content ArticleThe health service needs to develop innovative ways of treating an increasingly elderly and frail population, while harnessing new technology to help mitigate the staffing crisis. As part of the Times Health Commission, this article outlines some potential solutions — encompassing new ways of working and regulation to promote healthier lifestyles — to some aspects of the health and social care crisis in the UK.
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Content ArticleThis briefing from the Centre of Mental Health summarises evidence from six studies on the use of digital and telephone technology to deliver mental health services. It finds that using remote technology can improve access to mental health support for rural communities, disabled people or people needing a specialist service far from home. It has the potential to increase access and choice in mental health care. But it also risks exacerbating inequalities for people who are digitally excluded.
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Content ArticleCancer Research UK, in partnership with London-based tech company Stitch, are piloting an app for patients to use whilst participating in a clinical trial. The Trialmap app, which was co-created with patients, is being piloted on a clinical trial run by Cancer Research UK’s Centre for Drug Development. The aim of the app is to ensure patients feel valued for their participation, and to improve patient experience during clinical trials. This article looks at how the app: allows patients to easily view information about the trial gives reminders about appointments and what patients might need to do to prepare for them gives patients the opportunity to provide real-time feedback regarding their time on the trial.
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EventThis masterclass will focus on developing your role as a SIRO (Senior Information Risk Owner) in health and social care. Key learning objectives Understanding the role of the Senior Information Risk Owner. Identifying information risks across the organisation. Working with others to mitigate the risk to patients, staff and organisation. Confidence that all reasonable technical and organisation measure are in place. Giving assurance to the Board that risks have been considered, mitigated or owned. Understand the requirements of external confidence that policies, procedures are in place to deal with Data Breaches, For further information and to book your place visit https://www.healthcareconferencesuk.co.uk/conferences-masterclasses/masterclass-developing-your-role-as-a-senior-information-risk-owner-siro or email kate@hc-uk.org.uk. hub members receive a 20% discount. Email info@pslhub.org for discount code.
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News Article
'Keep mums and babies safe by improving digital medical records'
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
With the distressing spate of news reports about mums and babies who weren’t kept safe in hospital, an initiative in the Midlands to improve patient safety in maternal and acute care settings comes as a relief. The newly announced Midlands Patient Safety Research Collaboration will bring together NHS trusts, universities and private business to evaluate how digital tools can help clinical decision making and reduce danger for patients. Problems can arise if communication is poor between medics when patients move between departments. Professor Alice Turner of Birmingham University said: “The power of new technology available to us means that we can address one of the ongoing areas of risk for patients, which is effective communication and clinical decision making. “The new collaboration will be looking at how digital tools can make a real difference to reduce risks and support patient safety in the areas of acute medicine and maternal health.” Digital decision-making tools could improve prescribing and personalised management for patients needing emergency care. Importantly, these tools should provide a smoother flow of information between healthcare professionals in acute care between hospitals, doctors and the West Midlands Ambulance Service, and hopefully reduce risks of patient harm at key points during acute care. Read full story Source: The Mirror, 18 December 2022 -
Content ArticleInnovation and technology have played a vital role in our health system, not least during the pandemic. Whilst we have seen a variety of positive changes and reforms, such as the MedTech Funding Mandate and new data plans, the new administration still has a lot to address. Not forgetting the positive lessons we learnt from the pandemic is key – we saw that a more rapid uptake is possible and barriers to adoption can be overcome. Addressing these barriers to adoption is still essential if the UK wants to be the global hub for technology and innovation – adopting technological driven innovative solutions will be more important than ever for the NHS in order to continue improving patient outcomes whilst maintaining economic discipline.
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Content ArticleThere is a huge challenge to improve technology adoption and readiness across the NHS. This article in HSJ looks at a partnership between tech services company Agyle and Dorset County Hospital (DCH) which aimed to develop a digital patient record strategy which places user experience at the heart of its approach. DCH's objective was for its staff to access a decreasing number of systems, designed around clinical processes, with data flowing seamlessly between those systems. The article looks at how Agyle and DCH worked together to achieve improved clinical safety, interoperability, cost-effectiveness and future-proofing through their strategy.
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Content ArticleIn this HSJ article, Gemma Dakin and George Croft from the Health Innovation Network share their reflections on the HSJ Patient Safety Congress. They highlight key themes that emerged including the need to listen to patients, service users, and carers stories, and encourage their involvement to bring about a cultural change. They argue that humanity will be central to making progress in quality improvement and patient safety.
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Content ArticleVision-based patient monitoring systems (VBPMS) are assistive tools that enable staff to enhance and support patient safety in inpatient services by delivering non-contact measurement of physiological parameters such as pulse and breathing rate, some estimate of patient location, activity or behaviour data and some form of contextual video information (which may be blurred) either in real-time or through subsequent reviews. In some cases, a VBPMS can be classified as a medical device regulated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and have specific indications for use. Providers adopting the technology need to ensure users are appropriately trained.
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Content ArticleIn this interview for Healthcare IT News, Lisa Hedges, associate principal analyst at Software Advice, discusses the findings of a survey of 1,000 patients on telemedicine usage after the worst of the pandemic. She also talks about the future of telemedicine. The survey found that: more than half of patients are concerned about the quality of care they're receiving through telemedicine. the majority of people prefer virtual appointments for common illnesses. 86% of patients rate their telemedicine experience as positive. 91% are more likely to choose a provider that offers telemedicine. 49% prefer telemedicine visits for mental health treatment, despite it being one of the more remote-ready specialties.
