eHealth electronic tools
Although not
essential, eHealth solutions can support NHS boards and their
partners in the development and implementation of integrated care
pathways. This section will explore the different tools available
to support these processes and provide information to support ICP
developers.
ICP development
- Microsoft Visio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Visio)
is a tool which can support the mapping of the care process
electronically after the ICP process mapping event.
- Other tools like Smartdraw (http://www.smartdraw.com) can also
be used.
- Nimbus Pathways (http://www.nimbuspartners.com)
is another solution that can support the analysis of the business
process essential in ICP development.
- There are also other software products that can support the
recording, analysis and display of the ICP business process.
ICP implementation
There are also eHealth
tools that can support the implementation of ICPs within an IT
solution. The main benefits of this approach will be:
- The accurate recording and sharing of clinical information
across a network
- The ability to standardise clinical care components available
to staff eg assessments, care plans etc
- The ability to easily comply with data standards set out within
the NHSScotland data dictionary
- The ability to record and analyse care variances in real time
compared to retrospective audit.
Each of the aspects of the care process will be explored and
potential systems identified to support developers.
Referral
The Chief Executive Letter (CEL)
25 issued December 2007, provides information on the targets set
for NHS boards on the implementation of electronic referral.
The Scottish national system of choice for the development of
referral information is SCI Gateway. More information can be found
here: http://www.sci.scot.nhs.uk/products/gateway/gateway_main.htm
SCI Gateway supports the generation and posting of referral
information from GP systems to other services. The website gives
examples of referral protocols that are used to guide the referrer
on the types of information needed in order to aid the triage and
allocation process when the referral is received.
Demographic information and data standards
The following link provides information on the structure of data
items and the mental health datasets that have been developed and
made available in the NHSScotland data dictionary.
Data dictionary: http://www.datadictionaryadmin.scot.nhs.uk/isddd/9215.html
Mental health datasets: http://www.datadictionaryadmin.scot.nhs.uk/isddd/9880.html
Assessment/Care planning
eHealth systems
can support the recording and sharing of assessment information
within services and between services via the data sharing
partnerships that are being set up in each geographical area:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/PublicServiceReform/efficientgovernment/Data
StandardsAndeCare
Single shared assessment for addiction services is a good
example of how the SSA process can be applied: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/03/20841/54394
The Generic clinical system is being developed by NHS Dumfries
&Galloway which will allow for the systematic collection of
assessment data: http://www.gcs.scot.nhs.uk
Systems should be developed to collect structured assessment
data from a patient and practitioner perspective. Efforts should be
made to create systems that involve the patient in the recording of
this. Devices that support this could include:
NHS boards should also explore the use of wireless/mobile
technology which allows the use of systems as close to the patient
as possible. Technology is available using off line forms with
Microsoft Infopath which may support the collection and analysis of
data: http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/infopath/default.aspx