Dear Richard

CfH and DH are aware of the issues re data transformation and are undertaking some studies related to this as well as talking with GP system suppliers. In addition we are attempting to gain the OK for laboratories to raise these problems through the NINs channels rather than having to be through the GPs. All the issues are being logged and discussed with those involved in IT safety (esp Maureen Baker who heads that area) and we are in conversation with NPSA.

Regards

Gifford

Professor Gifford Batstone
MBBS, BSc, FRCPath, MSc

National Clinical Lead for Pathology

Office of the Chief Clinical Officer

NHS Connecting for Health

Mob 07733 084824

--- On Fri, 13/2/09, Richard Stott <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

From: Richard Stott <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Units[Scanned]
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Friday, 13 February, 2009, 9:49 AM

Dear All

Rather than complaining among ourselves, maybe we need to report this sort of thing to Connecting for Health? They really need to know about each time we find an issue with communications or computer systems.

I would argue that it is a potentially significant risk to patients for a result to be presented to any clinician in different units to those it was reported in. We all know that clinicians (and ourselves!) frequently talk in numbers without the units and that makes quoting a different value back to the lab a significant potential contributor to incorrect diagnosis and advice. Obviously we also need to adopt a culture of not believing any results quoted back but checking on our systems before we comment.

CfH are (belatedly?) implementing a patient safety team which can be accessed via the office of the chief clinical officer. Follow this link for the contact details -http://www.connectingforhealth.nhs.uk/engagement/clinical/occo

Regards

Richard Stott

Principal Clinical Scientist & Clinical Governance lead , Pathology.

Doncaster & Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust