Better data in the NHS - Myths and misdirection
After Ockenden and despite plenty of funding, the NHS needs to change its approach to digital innovation
A couple of things shocked me from the first day I became involved with Triscribe. How can NHS Hospitals be operating without basic electronic systems like EPMA? How can the system work without complete data about medication usage?
This article reminded me of those basic questions: After Ockenden, we need better data to prevent further harm
"At the same time, we need to get useable and understandable data into the hands of patients and clinical teams. As things stand, there is no lack of data, in fact there is a lot of data. It just so happens that it is often collected on paper, within siloed computer systems, or in unstructured formats that are difficult to share. The benefits of detailed data collection are subsequently lost between agencies and important clinically relevant information isn’t understood or actioned appropriately. The law of unintended consequences means that omissions of care in one part of the system are not being picked up along the pathway of care to the detriment of the patient."
The legacy IT burden on our NHS
I am still surprised every time I find out more about the IT legacy burden on our NHS Hospitals. Hard working staff devote an enormous amount of time, money and resource to capturing data.
That data ends up difficult to access, hard to use and impossible to link together. The NAO report on Digital Transformation in May 2020 highlighted some of the issues. Only 54% of Trusts felt staff could get the information they need when they need it. Just 15% of Trust IT systems comply with SNOMED CT standards.
There is a whole infrastructure of projects and plans intended to solve these problems. Supported by plenty of hard cash. The same report highlighted a budget of £8.1Bn. The Chancellor added a further £2.1Bn earlier this year.
Three corporate style myths
Unfortunately, three myths about the solution dominate thinking:
1. Big warehouse and analytics projects will deliver the information clinicians need. In my old job, we used to refer to these as slow-moving train wrecks.
2. Interoperability and integrated systems. More standards and more systems layered on top. This is a kind of centralisation fallacy in a networked world.
3. The AI magic bullet. Shiny new toys have never been a genuine source of value.
Technology moved on from these models 15 years ago. In spring 2007, when the twin miracles of the iPhone and M-Pesa launched.
Time for value not complexity
Proven, modern software tools and methods deliver value, not complexity, not tech for its own sake. We build to solve real-world problems. If the software doesn’t offer a solution, we change the software. As opposed to the old way of reconfiguring the organisation to fit the tool.
So any technology tool lives or dies on the value it delivers. For Triscribe that means:
Reducing the burden on frontline staff. We aim to give every user back half a day a month of their time.
Using a complete view of hospital medication to support all users. Better medication stewardship, support to manage medicines safety and operational data to manage scarce resources more effectively.
The NHS needs a new approach to digital transformation. Time to embrace innovation and recognise the benefits of proven modern technology. Time to prioritise digital tools that add value to staff and patients.
If you would like to find out how to use Triscribe to deliver value for your hospital, please get in touch in the comments or by email: kenny@triscribe.net