scholarly journals Referrals from community optometrists to the hospital eye service in Scotland and England

Eye ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rakhee Shah ◽  
David F. Edgar ◽  
Abeeda Khatoon ◽  
Angharad Hobby ◽  
Zahra Jessa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patient Care ◽  
Patient Information ◽  
Referral Rate ◽  
Joint Statement

Abstract Objectives This audit assesses communication between community optometrists (COs) and hospital eye service (HES) in Scotland and England. Methods Optometric referrals and replies were extracted from six practices in Scotland and England. If no reply was found, replies/records were copied from HES records. De-identified referrals, replies and records were audited against established standards, evaluating whether referrals were necessary, accurate and directed to the appropriate professional. The referral rate (RR) and referral reply rate (RRR) were calculated. Results From 905 de-identified referrals, RR ranged from 2.6 to 8.7%. From COs’ perspective, the proportion of referrals for which they received replies ranged from 37 to 84% (Scotland) and 26 to 49% (England). A total of 88–96% of referrals (Scotland) and 63–76% (England) were seen in the HES. Adjusting for cases when it is reasonable to expect replies, RRR becomes 45–92% (Scotland) and 38–62% (England) with RRR significantly greater in Scotland (P = 0.015). Replies were copied to patients in 0–21% of cases. Referrals were to the appropriate service and judged necessary in ≥90% of cases in both jurisdictions. Accuracy of referral ranged from 89 to 97% (Scotland) and 81 to 98% (England). The reply addressed the reason for referral in 94–100% of cases (Scotland) and 93–97% (England) and was meaningful in 95–100% (Scotland) and 94–99% (England). Conclusions Despite the interdisciplinary joint statement on sharing patient information, this audit highlights variable standard of referrals and deficits in replies to the referring COs, with one exception in Scotland. Replies from HES to COs are important for patient care, benefitting patients and clinicians and minimising unnecessary HES appointments.

scholarly journals Virtual reality to improve patient information and reduce anxiety towards atrial fibrillation ablation in times of remote patient care (and after)

EP Europace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
ANL Hermans ◽  
P Van Duijnhoven ◽  
DVM Verhaert ◽  
S Philippens ◽  
M Lahaije ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Patient Information ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Af Ablation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Remote Patient ◽  
Preoperative Patient

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background. Nowadays frequently deployed invasive catheter ablation therapy in patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) is unfortunately associated with distress such as preoperative anxiety. Improving preoperative patient information may lower anxiety towards AF ablation procedures. Purpose. To evaluate whether a lifelike 360˚ virtual reality (VR) patient information video decreases anxiety levels and improves patient preparation towards AF ablation as compared to standard preoperative patient information. Methods. Consecutive patients planned for AF ablation were recruited from the outpatient AF clinic and were randomized into two groups: the control group and the intervention group (VR group). The control group received standard preoperative information through oral counselling and information leaflets, the VR group received the standard information as well as a short dedicated 360˚ VR video (via in-hospital VR headset and disposable cardboard VR glasses for home use). Online questionnaires (aimed at information provision, anxiety and procedural experience) were administered both pre- and post-ablation. Results. A total of 103 patients (39.8% female, age 64 [58-71] years) were included in the analysis. The VR group (n = 58) reported to be clearly better informed about catheterization laboratory environment (78% vs. 73%) and the course of the procedure (82% vs. 78%), indicated fewer concerns about the procedure (47% vs. 55%) and were eager to learn even more (82% vs. 74%) as compared to controls (n = 45). However, there was no significant difference in the anxiety scores between the VR group and controls (10 [8-12] vs. 10 [8-14], p = 0.548). Home use of the video was satisfactory and resulted in discussion with relatives. Patient overall satisfaction was higher in VR group as compared to controls (84% vs. 81%). Conclusions. This study shows that a dedicated 360˚ VR video reduces concerns but does not reduce anxiety scores. Though, it easily improves procedural knowledge, patient information and patient satisfaction. Especially in times of remote patient care, this new way of informing patients may be of added value.

scholarly journals Study of Sharing Patient Information by Nurses Between Inpatient and Outpatient Wards in Japan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natsuko Nishida ◽  
Tomoko Hikita ◽  
Megumi Iida ◽  
Goshiro Yamamoto ◽  
Tomohiro Kuroda
Keyword(s):  
Patient Care ◽  
Information Sharing ◽  
Patient Information ◽  
Medical Records ◽  
Communication Tool ◽  
Nursing Diagnosis ◽  
Quality Of Patient Care ◽  
Hospital Stays ◽  
Communication Needs

Shortening hospital stays increases communication needs between nurses in inpatient and outpatient wards. Smooth information sharing is required to reduce the workload of nurses and improve the quality of patient care. However, electronic medical records (EMR) system does not have sufficient functions to support information sharing between wards, because EMR has been developed mainly for recording. This study led to three improvements; unified communication tool, common patient list linked to EMR, and outpatient nursing diagnosis.

Linking Patient Information Systems to Bibliographic Resources

1996 ◽  
Vol 35 (02) ◽  
pp. 122-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Cimino
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Medical Informatics ◽  
Patient Information ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Retrieval Strategy ◽  
Experimental Systems ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
On Line

AbstractMedical informatics researchers have explored a number of ways to integrate medical information resources into patient care systems. Particular attention has been given to the integration of on-line bibliographic resources. This paper presents an information model which breaks down the integration task into three components, each of which answers a question: what is the user’s question?, where can the answer be found?, and how is the retrieval strategy composed? Twelve experimental systems are reviewed and their methods for addressing one or more of these questions are described.

scholarly journals The Use of Communication Apps by Medical Staff in the Australian Health Care System: Survey Study on Prevalence and Use (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Nikolic ◽  
Nilmini Wickramasinghe ◽  
Damian Claydon-Platt ◽  
Vikram Balakrishnan ◽  
Philip Smart
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Patient Information ◽  
Medical Staff ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Medical Personnel ◽  
Patient Data ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Multidisciplinary Teams

BACKGROUND The use of communication apps on mobile phones offers an efficient, unobtrusive, and portable mode of communication for medical staff. The potential enhancements in patient care and education appear significant, with clinical details able to be shared quickly within multidisciplinary teams, supporting rapid integration of disparate information, and more efficient patient care. However, sharing patient data in this way also raises legal and ethical issues. No data is currently available demonstrating how widespread the use of these apps are, doctor’s attitudes towards them, or what guides clinician choice of app. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to quantify and qualify the use of communication apps among medical staff in clinical situations, their role in patient care, and knowledge and attitudes towards safety, key benefits, potential disadvantages, and policy implications. METHODS Medical staff in hospitals across Victoria (Australia) were invited to participate in an anonymous 33-question survey. The survey collected data on respondent’s demographics, their use of communication apps in clinical settings, attitudes towards communication apps, perceptions of data “safety,” and why one communication app was chosen over others. RESULTS Communication apps in Victorian hospitals are in widespread use from students to consultants, with WhatsApp being the primary app used. The median number of messages shared per day was 12, encompassing a range of patient information. All respondents viewed these apps positively in quickly communicating patient information in a clinical setting; however, all had concerns about the privacy implications arising from sharing patient information in this way. In total, 67% (60/90) considered patient data “moderately safe” on these apps, and 50% (46/90) were concerned the use of these apps was inconsistent with current legislation and policy. Apps were more likely to be used if they were fast, easy to use, had an easy login process, and were already in widespread use. CONCLUSIONS Communication app use by medical personnel in Victorian hospitals is pervasive. These apps contribute to enhanced communication between medical staff, but their use raises compliance issues, most notably with Australian privacy legislation. Development of privacy-compliant apps such as MedX needs to prioritize a user-friendly interface and market the product as a privacy-compliant comparator to apps previously adapted to health care settings.

Using Pocket PCs for Nurses' Shift Reports and Patient Care

2011 ◽  
pp. 313-329
Author(s):  
Karen Chang ◽  
Kyle D. Lutes ◽  
Melanie L. Braswell ◽  
Jacqueline K. Nielsen
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Nursing Care ◽  
Patient Information ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Access To Information ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Pocket Pc ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Nurses Perceptions

Nurses working in hospitals with paper-based systems often face the challenge of inefficiency in providing quality nursing care. Two areas of inefficiency are shiftto- shift communication among nurses, and access to information related to patient care. An integrated IT system, consisting of Pocket PCs and a desktop PC interfaced to a hospital’s mainframe system, was developed. The goal was to use mobile IT to give nurses easier access to patient information. This chapter describes the development of this system and reports the results of a pilot study: a comparison of time spent in taking and giving shift reports before and after the study and nurses’ perceptions of the mobile IT system. Results showed a significant difference in taking shift reports and no significant difference in giving shift reports. Nurses stated that quick and easy access to updated patient information in the Pocket PC was very helpful, especially during mainframe downtime.

From Nursing Information Systems to Patient Information Systems

1994 ◽  
Vol 33 (03) ◽  
pp. 302-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. M. Coward
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Health Care System ◽  
Patient Information ◽  
Clinical Information ◽  
Systems Development ◽  
Clinical Information Systems ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
The Future

Abstract:Clinical information systems, developed for specific disciplines, reinforce the fragmentation of patient care and fail to support integrated, patient centered approaches. Fundamental restructuring of systems development is required to prepare the health care system and the practice of nursing for the future.

would you like to see yours?

2007 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 62-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Antoniou ◽  
MP Saunders ◽  
R Bourner ◽  
L Crouch
Keyword(s):  
Health Service ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Patient Information ◽  
Outpatient Clinic ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Hospital Outpatient ◽  
Hospital Outpatient Clinic ◽  
Secretary Of State ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Improving Patient Care

In 2001 the Health and Social Care Act was published. In Part 5 of this document it is stated that 'The Secretary of State may… make such provision for and in connection with requiring or regulating the processing of prescribed patient information for medical purposes as he feels necessary or expedient… in the interests of improving patient care'. Furthermore, such provision may involve requiring 'prescribed communications of any nature which contain patient information to be disclosed by health service bodies in prescribed circumstances to… the person to whom the information relates'. As part of the NHS Modernisation Programme it is proposed that all hospital outpatient clinic correspondence to the GP (clinic letters) will be copied to the patient in question.

scholarly journals Ambulance clinicians’ perspectives of sharing patient information electronically

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 49-50
Author(s):  
Jack W. Barrett
Keyword(s):  
Patient Care ◽  
Patient Information ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Patient Data ◽  
Clinical Staff ◽  
Electronic Patient Records ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Health Records ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
Collaborative Working

Introduction: Communication in the NHS is vital to patient care and safety. Government bodies are pushing for the digitisation of patient health records so that access and transfer of information is easier between patient care teams. Many ambulance trusts have issued their clinical staff tablet computers as a step in the transition from paper-based to electronic-based patient health records. This study aims to evaluate whether these ambulance clinicians perceive tangible benefits to digitisation, particularly regarding collaborative working with other healthcare professionals.Methods: Registered and non-registered clinical staff in one ambulance trust completed an online questionnaire utilising five-point Likert scales to collect data about their experiences of using electronic incident summary notifications to report back to the patient’s GP, and on direct patient referrals to community teams for falls and hypoglycaemic episodes. Participants only completed questions relevant to the process they had experienced.Results: From approximately 2115 members of staff eligible to participate, there were 201 respondents (9.50%) who provided information concerning GP summary notifications, fall referrals or hypoglycaemia referrals (n = 154, 76.62%; n = 178, 88.56%; n = 101, 50.25%, respectively).Overall, staff perceived the electronic communication of patient information as useful, but not essential, to their practice. The applications were seen as easy to use and a safer way to handle patient data. Though their use was felt to prolong the time spent on scene, this was regarded as an efficient use of a clinician’s time.Many staff would prefer to talk directly to a patient’s GP, but fewer felt that this was required for community referrals. While most participants did not feel obliged to send a GP summary notification of every encounter, the majority believed that the rates of appropriate falls and hypoglycaemia referrals would be improved with direct electronic communication.Respondents felt that recording and sharing patient information electronically improved collaborative working with other healthcare professionals, and they preferred having this ability.Conclusion: NHS ambulance trusts are transitioning to electronic patient records and this article suggests that ambulance staff are in favour of this transition when the technology is readily accessible and easy to use. Staff believe this approach is a safer way to store and share patient data and that collaborative working is enhanced. However, many clinicians would still prefer to discuss some incidents directly with a GP rather than sending a summary, highlighting the value staff place on real-time professional interaction when managing a patient.

Nurses' Perceptions of Using a Pocket PC for Shift Reports and Patient Care

2011 ◽  
pp. 799-810
Author(s):  
Karen Chang
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Nursing Care ◽  
Patient Information ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Access To Information ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Pocket Pc ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Nurses Perceptions

Nurses working in hospitals with paper-based systems often face the challenge of inefficiency in providing quality nursing care. Two areas of inefficiency are shift-to-shift communication among nurses and access to information related to patient care. An integrated IT system, consisting of Pocket PCs and a desktop PC interfaced to a hospital’s mainframe system, was developed. The goal was to use mobile IT to give nurses easier access to patient information. This paper describes the development of this system and reports the results of a pilot study: a comparison of time spent in taking and giving shift reports before and after the study and nurses’ perceptions of the mobile IT system. Results showed significant difference in taking shift reports and no significant difference in giving shift reports. Nurses stated that quick and easy access to updated patient information in the Pocket PC was very helpful, especially during mainframe downtime.

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