The fruits of data!
The year brought with it many challenges, particularly with regards data quality as the fruits of some 18 months preparative labour were tested to the full with the go-live of the Cerner Millennium Electronic Patient Record (EPR). The intention was always to ensure as quickly as possible all previous reporting and coding functionality was made available in the new world of EPR. At the time of writing we are very much nearly there, but this has not been without difficulties along the way. The challenges were met with professionalism and dedication and it is pleasing to note all mandatory returns were being provided. Much of the Information Teamsí focus had to move to data quality, and over the year a new skill set of the Cerner Millennium product (both front end and back end) has improved week on week leading to a strong ësafe baseí position. It is very important to recognise the considerable support and understanding of both the Trust itself and local Clinical Commissioning Groups throughout the transitional period when reporting and data quality issues were being worked through.
For the first few months of EPR the use of our Business Intelligence solution Knowledge Portal (KP) understandably took a dip in usage. From October onwards this success story has continued to go from strength to strength having on average 290 users access the system each month (16/17 comparative figure 235, 15/16 150). The success has resulted from a combination of providing new models giving visibility to new information in addition to deploying increased functionality in existing models. Of particular note is the ongoing improvement to the Live Bed Occupancy model that now features information specifically at individual bed level thanks to Cerner feeds and live monitoring of patientsí estimated date of discharge, thus supporting patient flow. A little later than hoped, but quite understandably, the focus then moved to that of clinical data available from EPR, where the Knowledge Portal is a key facilitator to turning this data into valuable information to further improve patient care.
The delivery from our clinical coding workforce continued to be exceptional. The advantage of having our own trainee programme continued to reap benefits. As trainees became qualified to code, the greater opportunity for senior coders to increase clinician engagement was realised. This improved the quality and completeness of the clinical documentation. Coding key performance indicators continued to benchmark splendidly against peers, this certainly impacting on the Trusts good relative position nationally for key mortality measures. In 2018/2019 it will be key to enable greater efficiencies for the department, and thus to continue the engagement journey, will be delivery of the strategy to have clinicians gathering information to support coding in a uniform manner.
It is also pleasing to report on the support members of our Information Department gave to the Association of Professional Healthcare Analysts (AphA). This is an association of analytical staff who are working in the health care sector; formed in 2012 by a group of enthusiasts keen to promote the role and profile of information professionals in health and social care. This group goes from strength to strength with national membership standing over 500. In early 2017 our very own Lisa Fox was pivotal in bringing together a Yorkshire and Humber branch. The first two learning events have been very successful and a joint session with the North West is imminent. One of the key aims of this association is to work towards formal health related recognised qualifications for Information professionals, very much not before time.
To finish I will close with a couple of areas where the Information Teams have been key in positive result delivery. Firstly the daily external situational report has been automated from December 2017 whist at the same time providing greater granularity of daily Accident and Emergency and Inpatient hospital activity. Information Team members met a tight delivery timeline brilliantly. Indeed as a result of this automation the NHS Improvement Team have at long last provided a solution that gives all the countries information back enabling live benchmarking with the rest of the country.
And lastly the Performance Management Framework at CHFT is well embedded and the report provision at not just divisional but also directorate level, in tandem with the weekly performance report have been key. This is co-ordinated very much by Information Teams alongside guidance from the Assistant Director of Performance. Adding in the essential ingredient of commentary and interpretation from the Information professionals gives a high quality, robust, assurance solution to the Trust.
So it certainly has been quite a year, undoubtedly challenging. Looking back the achievement has been sensational, something all the Coding and Information Teams can be immensely proud of. Iím very much looking forward working with them 2018/19.
Published by Julian Bates on 28.12.2018.
This story first appeared in our 18th Issue of THIS is the news newsletter.
