What started as a procurement project using GS1 barcodes at Derby Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust will eventually give us data for the whole patient pathway – who did what to who, and where and when it happened. By Gavin Boyle
Attending this year’s Provider Summit, I was struck by the energy in the room for ”Enacting change at pace and scale” – the theme of the conference. It’s not just something we need to do but it’s what we all want to do, not least to secure the future of our NHS.
At Derby Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust, we’re changing and it’s happening quickly. What started as a procurement project to capture data in theatre using GS1 barcodes, is being rolled out to wards and will eventually give us data for the whole patient pathway – who did what to who, and where and when it happened.
We scan all products, patients, staff, surgical instruments and medical equipment during a procedure, connecting our inventory management system with our product catalogue. This automates supplier orders and inventory control, accurately records stock levels and produces individual patient costings.
It enables all procedure information to be tracked to the patient, and full traceability of trays, instruments, staff and locations. And, it gives our consultants the data they need – detailed pre-op notes, clinical and product variances, and length of stay.
In theatre alone, this data will save us £1.2m this year and the automation and reduction in stock ordering frees clinical time and space. It’s a transformational change, happening at pace and at scale, and it’s bringing exactly the benefits the NHS needs at the moment – increasing patient safety, enhancing clinical effectiveness and driving operational efficiencies.
Gavin Boyle, CEO, Derby Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust
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