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NHS staff dub e-records 'clunky' NHS staff dub e-records 'clunky'
(1 day later)
The initial experience of electronic patient records is of "clunky" and "immature" technology, a study finds.The initial experience of electronic patient records is of "clunky" and "immature" technology, a study finds.
A team from University College London evaluated four out of six English pilot sites which have been running the schemes over the last year.A team from University College London evaluated four out of six English pilot sites which have been running the schemes over the last year.
It found "real benefits" for treating patients in emergency or unplanned situations, but warned the system has major bugs and access problems.It found "real benefits" for treating patients in emergency or unplanned situations, but warned the system has major bugs and access problems.
A roll-out of the scheme is planned across England, with more information. NHS Connecting for Health said the study raised important issues.
A roll-out of the scheme is planned across England.
This initial phase of the e-records scheme involves uploading key medical details including medication, allergies and known adverse reactions to drugs.This initial phase of the e-records scheme involves uploading key medical details including medication, allergies and known adverse reactions to drugs.
These can be accessed by NHS staff via a secure virtual network.These can be accessed by NHS staff via a secure virtual network.
'Poor links''Poor links'
The team from UCL interviewed 250 NHS staff from primary care trusts, GP practices, A&E, walk-in centres and out-of-hours services, as well as 170 patients.The team from UCL interviewed 250 NHS staff from primary care trusts, GP practices, A&E, walk-in centres and out-of-hours services, as well as 170 patients.
But the staff said the technology did not link in properly with other IT systems, and that many had given up using it "until it works better".But the staff said the technology did not link in properly with other IT systems, and that many had given up using it "until it works better".
In one of the areas, Bolton, the report highlighted a walk-in centre which was too busy for staff to access patients' electronic records.In one of the areas, Bolton, the report highlighted a walk-in centre which was too busy for staff to access patients' electronic records.
However, patients themselves were largely unworried about their details being included on the system, and were often happy that they did not have to remember complicated medical details about their condition and the drugs they were taking, and that NHS staff they came into contact with could easily access those details.However, patients themselves were largely unworried about their details being included on the system, and were often happy that they did not have to remember complicated medical details about their condition and the drugs they were taking, and that NHS staff they came into contact with could easily access those details.
There could be a lot more trouble ahead Joyce Robbins, Patient ConcernThere could be a lot more trouble ahead Joyce Robbins, Patient Concern
Professor Trisha Greenhalgh, who led the research, said e-records should not be seen in "black-and-white terms".Professor Trisha Greenhalgh, who led the research, said e-records should not be seen in "black-and-white terms".
"As an innovation, it has both potential benefits and potential dis-benefits."As an innovation, it has both potential benefits and potential dis-benefits.
"Its 'success' will depend to a large extent on how it is used and the extent to which it is trusted."Its 'success' will depend to a large extent on how it is used and the extent to which it is trusted.
"Public debate up to now has tended to be conducted by the minority of individuals with extreme views (positive or negative), and as a result has been somewhat simplistic, polarised and tied to hypothetical situations.""Public debate up to now has tended to be conducted by the minority of individuals with extreme views (positive or negative), and as a result has been somewhat simplistic, polarised and tied to hypothetical situations."
'No roll-out''No roll-out'
The report suggests NHS Connecting for Health, which is overseeing the introduction of electronic patient records, should focus more on helping staff use and understand the technology, rather than the technology itself.The report suggests NHS Connecting for Health, which is overseeing the introduction of electronic patient records, should focus more on helping staff use and understand the technology, rather than the technology itself.
A spokesman for the British Medical Association said the planned roll-out of the scheme should be deferred until the concerns outlined in the report were addressed.A spokesman for the British Medical Association said the planned roll-out of the scheme should be deferred until the concerns outlined in the report were addressed.
"Connecting for Health now has clear guidance on the changes necessary to make the project both more effective and acceptable to patients and those concerned with their care."Connecting for Health now has clear guidance on the changes necessary to make the project both more effective and acceptable to patients and those concerned with their care.
"However, we would strongly urge that until these changes are made there should be no further roll out of the scheme beyond the pilot sites already taking part.""However, we would strongly urge that until these changes are made there should be no further roll out of the scheme beyond the pilot sites already taking part."
Joyce Robbins, of Patient Concern, said she was unsurprised that patients were not worried about their details being accessible because it had been promoted as a "good thing".Joyce Robbins, of Patient Concern, said she was unsurprised that patients were not worried about their details being accessible because it had been promoted as a "good thing".
"People should be concerned. There could be a lot more trouble ahead.""People should be concerned. There could be a lot more trouble ahead."
She said the biggest concern was that errors would be introduced onto the records which would be difficult to remove.She said the biggest concern was that errors would be introduced onto the records which would be difficult to remove.
"There are likely to be more mistakes. Information will be entered manually, so the probability is that mistakes will go on.""There are likely to be more mistakes. Information will be entered manually, so the probability is that mistakes will go on."
A spokesman for NHS Connecting for Health, which commissioned the report, said that roll-out of the scheme across England would not happen until the issues brought up by the report had been resolved.
He said the report provided "a number of important learning points", including issues surrounding patient consent and the need to maintain a "clear focus" on the purpose and scope of the record.
Dr Gillian Braunold, clinical director of the Summary Care Record and HealthSpace Programme, added: "The report offers the programme the foundations on which to base the necessary planning for improvement in design and implementation.
"This will enable the ambition of enabling safer better care for patients in emergency and unscheduled care across England as quickly as possible."