DXS, an independent digital healthcare firm, has designed digital tools, the SMART referral forms and deployed them to an NHS Infertility Service.
The SMART referral forms have streamlined the referral process, ensuring timely and efficient access to specialised healthcare services.
Since the implementation of the forms, waiting times have been cut in half, now down to 22 weeks from over 44 weeks.
A recent independent financial impact analysis by Health Tech Enterprise underscores the practical advantages of DXS’s SMART referral forms.
Part-financed by Health Innovation East, the investigation highlights significant efficiency benefits and financial returns for healthcare providers.
Since the implementation of the forms, waiting times have been cut in half, now down to 22 weeks from over 44 weeks
Navigating the delicate balance between efficiency and financial responsibility in healthcare administration remains an ongoing challenge, particularly pronounced by the hurdles faced by individuals seeking support and referrals for fertility-related issues.
DXS’s mission is to address this crisis, by providing innovative solutions that improve patient outcomes while optimising healthcare resources.
Djavid Alleemudder, an Obs & Gynae consultant specialising in infertility in Suffolk and North East Essex, emphasised the strain these challenges placed on his team.
Couples endured waiting times of 44 weeks or more, only to face rejection for this time-sensitive, specialised service.
He stressed that inappropriate referrals caused profound heartache for couples, raising concerns far beyond mere organisational issues.
The results revealed that the number of inappropriate referrals received has fallen to 0% down from 36%
"Drawing from my experience, it was evident that we required a distinct approach. Making specific fields mandatory and introducing a revamped referral form were crucial steps in our strategy,” Alleemudder explained.
In response to the crisis, GP surgeries in Suffolk have introduced a clinical decision-support application to furnish customised SMART referral forms.
Collaborating closely with DXS, Djavid and his team developed a tailored SMART Infertility Referral Form addressing the department's distinct requirements.
The transformative solution ensures submissions are only accepted when all required fields are completed, resulting in fewer rejected referrals and significantly enhanced efficiencies across the pathway.
The survey results, aimed at streamlining referrals in collaboration with Djavid and healthcare systems overall, were exceptional.
The SMART Referral Forms from DXS are being used across all healthcare specialties
Since the release of the new SMART Infertility Form in August 2021, Alleemudder and his team demonstrated significant improvements in the Infertility Service, including reduced inappropriate referrals, waiting times, and administrative burdens.
The results revealed that the number of inappropriate referrals received has fallen to 0% down from 36% previously, but equally as astonishing, waiting times have been halved, reduced to 22 weeks from over 44 weeks.
According to Alleemudder, the updated SMART infertility referral form has transformed his infertility services.
"It's not only helped us to gain an in-depth analysis of what was going wrong, but it's delivered results that change lives, and makes our service to our patients much more efficient, which is life-changing in our sector, and what we do,” Alleemudder continued.
The SMART Referral Forms from DXS are being used across all healthcare specialities, not just infertility, including Cardiology, MSK, Cancer and Gastro.
The findings underscore a notable net saving of £9,202,570 within one year
Among the advantages that this service offers are:
- Optimised Pathway Management
- Reduced Inappropriate Referrals
- Reduced Waiting Lists
- Automated Field Population
- Fully Coded to Patient Record
- Zero Digital Bias – Reducing Inequalities
- Greener NHS – Contributes to Net-Zero
- Streamlines Efficiency/Productivity
- EPR Integration (via metadata)
By extending the analysis across NHS England and considering the broader impact of DXS's range of Smart Referral Forms, regional barriers are effectively dismantled.
The findings underscore a notable net saving of £9,202,570 within one year and a cumulative saving of £43,471,649 over five years, highlighting the substantial impact of DXS's comprehensive suite of Smart Referral Forms.
