The power of information during a pandemic

Information and data are powerful assets and that is all the more true during this pandemic. Information and data allows us to analyse, see patterns and make predictions on what could happen next.

At The Health Informatics Service our information and clinical coding teams have been working together to help collate and share information around COVID-19.

We’ve been supporting the provision of the local “vulnerable patient” lists with pharmacy and commissioning colleagues, supporting the national initiative of shielding 1.5 million vulnerable patients. This has involved us incorporating this list into our Command Centre model.

To help with identifying outstanding test results, volumes of COVID-19 patients and support the national returns (CHESS and COVID-19 SitRep), we have built, in partnership with our pathology colleagues, a COVID-19 Knowledge Portal Plus model. As well as this, we’ve supported with the reporting of Site Leadership Assurance for COVID-19 which began week commencing 30th March 2020.

And finally, the set-up of the Outpatients Virtual Appointment initiative support has allowed the tracking of cancelled appointments and those that have been converted to video/telephone appointments.

Data and information will continue to play a pivotal role in the fight against Covid-19 and we are here to support the frontline.

Please remember to follow the government guidelines. Stay at home, protect the NHS, and save lives.

Published by Sophie Thomas on 01.05.2020. Written with the support of Peter Howson and Rebecca Wootton.