IT solution replaces bleep system
An IT system aimed at improving workforce planning has helped one NHS trust to improve patient care and significantly reduce time spent on administration. Traditionally, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has used a bleep system to contact staff members. On occasions, this could mean up to half an hour could pass between a nurse requesting help for a patient and the message reaching a doctor able to respond. To combat this, Nervecentre was introduced in September 2010 to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the Hospital at Night system across the trust's Nottingham City Hospital and Queen's Medical Centre sites. Debbie Guy, lead nurse, said: "The system enables the ward staff to simply type in their request, outlining exactly the condition of the patient and what is needed. The co-ordinator can then see in real time which doctors are on duty, where they are, their skill set and how much work they each have to do. Nervecentre enables them to allocate the most suitable and available person to each task." Matt Howden, head of service design in ICT services, added: "There was a need to reduce delays caused by the old bleep-based process because it was causing risk to patients. Nervecentre has closed the loop, making a huge contribution to patient safety. It has also significantly improved governance, giving us an accurate record of all staff productivity."
