Hmmm... interesting and surprising discussion.
1 About 85% to 90% of our non-computerised request cards in Oxford for
CLT now have an NHS number.
2 This has dramatically decreased the number of orphan reports we
produce. (And we don't merge orphan reports.)
3 This has resulted in much better joining up of our reports across a
patient's encounter with the NHS.
4 No identification system works without the following components:
* A system of identifiers such as the NHS number
* Appropriate technology such as autoID using eg barcodes or RFID
* Appropriate processes.
5 IMHO Some of the problems identified in this discussion are being
blamed on the first of these but are caused by problems in the second
or third.
6 We've pushed this further in our blood transfusion projects than in
either CLT or PoCT. But we can now learn from those projects how to
improve CLT and PoCT.
7 There is a need for a system for identifying patients for whom the
NHS number is not known, not available etc. IMHO this should be a
string of the same format as an NHS number (allowing format checking
and the use of the check digit) and unique (and this needs an issue
authority). Without such a system we can't get above 90% usage and
will continue to use old inadequate unsafe local processes.
8 Wristbands carrying barcodes and/ or RFID work well for inpatients,
but we don't yet know what sort of tokens will work for primary care
and outpatients
Jonathan
On 21 Sep 2008, at 13:13, Jonathan Kay wrote:
> And here's one from the NPSA:
>
> "NHS Number to be used as the unique patient identifier by all NHS
> organisations in England and Wales"
> http://www.npsa.nhs.uk/corporate/news/nhsnumber/
>
> Jonathan
>
>
> On 11 Sep 2008, at 11:56, Jonathan Kay wrote:
>
>> I'm often asked what the current position is, and here's an update.
>>
>> http://www.connectingforhealth.nhs.uk/engagement/clinical/newsletters/connections7.pdf
>>
>> "Use of the NHS Number on paper and electronic patient records is
>> now mandatory - but support, guidance and assistance are available
>> to help healthcare organisations achieve complete adoption. "
>>
>> Jonathan
>>
>> PS: I know this is only for England.
>>
>>
>
> ------ACB discussion List Information--------
> This is an open discussion list for the academic and clinical
> community working in clinical biochemistry.
> Please note, archived messages are public and can be viewed
> via the internet. Views expressed are those of the individual and
> they are responsible for all message content.
> ACB Web Site
> http://www.acb.org.uk
> List Archives
> http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ACB-CLIN-CHEM-GEN.html
> List Instructions (How to leave etc.)
> http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/
------ACB discussion List Information--------
This is an open discussion list for the academic and clinical
community working in clinical biochemistry.
Please note, archived messages are public and can be viewed
via the internet. Views expressed are those of the individual and
they are responsible for all message content.
ACB Web Site
http://www.acb.org.uk
List Archives
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ACB-CLIN-CHEM-GEN.html
List Instructions (How to leave etc.)
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/
|