Summary of the eMR and Transfer of Care Project – 2017-2018
Overview of the Project:
The electronic medical record (eMR) and Safe Transfer of Care Project was an Integrated Care initiative implemented by the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD). The initiative commenced in response to a need for improved safe transfer of care for patients being discharged from NNSWLHD hospitals to the local primary care setting.
NNSWLHD funded a project lead, Di Goldie to drive the initiative for the period from January 2017 to June 2018.
The project is now complete, however the work continues within NNSWLHD as improvements have become embedded through strategies including staff training and IT solutions…
Achievements of the Project:
Significant increase in completion of inpatient Discharge Summary – Inclusive of content and timeliness. In April/May/June average time < 5 hours post discharge with over 75% completed within 48 hours – Previous rates were 35% to 40% with completion time of >7 days post discharge.
Local GP Survey conducted in June 2018 showed positive feedback in relation to timeliness and quality of discharge summaries
Transparency of non-completed discharge summaries available to NNSWLHD Executive/ DMS in automated dashboard
Increased utilisation by NNSWLHD staff of the Transfer of Care Referral Supplement electronic form within the eMR. The supplement allows all health professionals to include information for patients’ GPs within the Discharge Summary – entitled “Allied Health Review”
HealtheNet will increase the visibility of emergency and inpatient discharge summaries for NSW Health clinicians
Sustained improvements in the percentage of community members who have a regular GP which contributes to continued improvements for patients’ safe transfer of care. Supported by the “Who is your GP?” campaign
Electronic medication (eMEDS) rolls out across the NNSWLHD starting October 2018 – this will improve the medication summary that populates into the Discharge Summary. First site is Lismore Base Hospital.
The following have been escalated to NSW eHealth for support and implementation in the future:
- Mental Health Discharge/Transfer Summary and New Born/Maternal Discharge Summary to message electronically and be visible in HealtheNet.
- Specialist Outpatient Services/Clinics to utilise electronic documentation
- Gastroenterology/Bronchoscopy to link electronically with eMR and provide electronic reports to GPs/specialists
- Request to change the process that allows multiple copies of the Discharge Summary to be electronically delivered as medical staff update details
Project Lead, Di Goldie, extends her thanks to the NNSWLHD Clinicians, Executive Sponsors and numerous Practice Managers, Administrative staff from general practice and NNSWLHD, GPs and NCPHN staff who have travelled this journey of clinical improvement and supported the project.