[London, UK] Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) and West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust have connected their Electronic Patient Record (EPR) systems in a UK first-of-its-kind initiative.
Authorised staff from both trusts can now access clinical information from the other's EPR system, with CUH using Epic and West Suffolk using Cerner Millennium.
It is underpinned by Cerner's Health Information Exchange solution, which is live across the entire organisation at West Suffolk and in the Emergency Department at Addenbrooke's Hospital at this time, offering real-time information on whether a patient has been treated there within a 12-month period.
According to Cerner, the project started in December 2017, going live at the end of March.
Dermot O’Riordan, Consultant Surgeon and Chief Clinical Information Officer (CCIO) at West Suffolk, explained the two hospitals were treating many of the same patients in areas including ‘cancer care, vascular surgery or emergency care’.
“This innovation is a natural extension of our partnership, and is already making noticeable improvements and efficiencies to the care we provide our patients,” O’Riordan added.
Both CUH and West Suffolk are involved in the national Global Digital Exemplar scheme, which recognises NHS trusts that have been making significant strides in going paperless, each receiving up to £10m in matched funding, working with Fast Follower sites to create a blueprint aiming to pave the way towards wider improvements in digital across the system.
Dr Afzal Chaudhry, CUH Renal Consultant, CCIO and HIMSS UK Advisory Board member, said the development would generate ‘huge benefits to the many patients who attend both hospitals’.
“Having access to key clinical information held within the systems in real-time will help clinicians to provide safer, more effective and quicker care which can improve patient outcomes.
“This is another key milestone in our digital development as a Global Digital Exemplar trust, delivered through our eHospital programme, with many more developments in the pipeline as we further extend the capabilities of our Epic system and integrated digital technology,” Chaudhry added.
Geoff Segal, Cerner UK Vice President and Managing Director, said:
“Sharing information between care venues is essential for delivering the best patient and clinician experience.
"The value of interoperability has been clear at Barts and Homerton for several years, so linking West Suffolk and Cambridge’s different EPRs using our HIE was the next natural ‘first’ and testament to Cerner’s commitment to interoperability.
"Even more so, it’s testament to our clients’ drive to avoid unnecessary admissions, reduce waste, and continually improve healthcare for the citizens they serve. We’re proud to have been involved in West Suffolk/Cambridge project and excited at the value that it’s delivering for local people and staff.”
