Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group expands Datix patient safety software

Published: 2-Dec-2015

Move helps to drive GP feedback programme


Datix has announced that Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (OCCG) has expanded its use of Datix patient safety software to drive the organisation’s GP Feedback Programme.

OCCG uses Datix to capture feedback from 600 GPs at 78 practices, identify trends, and help deliver appropriate, safe and high-quality healthcare to 710,000 residents living in the county. OCCG has successfully increased response times and reporter rates, typically receiving between 50-60 pieces of feedback per week. In addition, the majority of healthcare providers commissioned by OCCG now meet the target of responding to 95% of all GP feedback within 14 days.

Helen Gandy, quality improvement manager at OCCG, said: “Our organisation required a robust, cohesive feedback and patient safety infrastructure which also met our commissioning needs. Based on our previous positive experience of using Datix, we felt confident the software could offer the flexibility required. In addition, Datix software offers the ability to provide a high level of visibility and transparency which is necessary to engage everyone involved including OCCG staff, GPs and providers such as hospitals. With everyone engaged, service improvements can be implemented and a joined-up approach to patient care maintained.”

Every week, a dedicated team comprising clinicians, quality experts and managers meet to discuss the latest feedback from primary care and prioritise any urgent patient safety issues. A quarterly report is written by the clinical lead which sums up what has been reported, what has been done about it and highlights any major or recurring themes. This report is then published widely at locality meetings and distributed to individual GP practices and other stakeholders.

Using Datix, the GP feedback programme has facilitated a more-collaborative approach to service provision and patient safety across Oxfordshire. In addition, OCCG has realised a series of tangible benefits such as improved communication between secondary and primary care and the management of test results. The programme has led to the CCG being able to demonstrate increased reporting from primary care highlighting potential quality improvements that can be made. It has also led to providers becoming more pro-active in resolving issues affecting quality of care in a timelier manner. All 78 practices are making good use of Datix because the system is simple to use and because the team behind the programme are able to demonstrate improvements to patient care as a result of the feedback given.

Jonathan Hazan, chief executive of Datix, said: “Clinical Commissioning Groups have a key role to play in ensuring the quality and safety of the services they commission. Shared learning is essential to uncover common challenges that might otherwise have gone undetected in a siloed environment. At OCCG, Datix provides visibility of patient safety issues across the healthcare community, showing where changes need to be made to services. As an intrinsic part of the governance framework, Datix has the power to help minimise risk, promote clinical best practice and improve the patient experience.”

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