NHS Digital is working with healthcare technology specialist, PretaGov, to implement digital discharge forms using its form-building platform PretaForm.
The software will allow NHS trusts to better manage workflows between hospitals and social care, freeing up vital resources and reducing the discharge delays experienced by some patients.
PretaForm is designed to replace paper-based processes by creating personalised, standards-compliant digital forms.
NHS Digital will use the software to support information sharing between health and social care providers by creating and deploying electronic discharge forms for more-efficient transfer of care.
Nurses, clinicians and care workers will have the ability to access, complete and amend forms online or via an easy-to-use application.
Virginia Choy, chief executive at PretaGov, said: “Hospitals and social care staff are under mounting pressure from delayed transfers of care and the increasing time patients have to spend in A&E due to lack of resources.
“PretaForm allows hospitals and social care providers to work more productively by assessing and discharging patients more efficiently while also ensuring they are receiving the care and support they require.”
Ian Boyd, technical lead at NHS Digital, said: “The NHS is moving away from paper-based discharge forms.
“Implementing PretaForm will streamline discharge processes and reduce the length of time it takes to handwrite summaries and manually input that information into computer systems.
“This can cause delays in getting patients out of hospital and into more-suitable accommodation.”
PretaForm is a low-code platform that allows non-technical staff to build complex eForms in-house, which is both time and cost effective.
The software, which is available on the GCloud and Digital Outcomes frameworks, can be used to create intelligent workflow applications for processes such as data capture, required approvals and business logic.
