Trust pauses EPR go live amid roll out problems

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire had expected to launch its EPR, supplied by US firm Oracle Cerner, earlier this month. 

However, sources told HSJ that difficulties during testing – including with doctors’ logins not working – have led to it delaying implementation.

UHCW said in a statement: “Our trust board has taken the decision to temporarily defer the launch of our new electronic patient record.

“Our teams are continuing to work closely with supplier Oracle Health to build on the momentum achieved to date and we will be announcing a new go-live date as soon as we are in a position to do so.”

UHCW had begun significant staffing training programmes in preparation for the expected October launch.

Big new EPR launches have caused major problems for several trusts in recent years. The launch of a Cerner EPR at Royal Surrey FT last year has been linked to nearly 1,000 patient safety reports, including one where a patient died and 30 others where they suffered harm. Elsewhere, implementations have caused major disruption to the planning of appointments and data reporting.

UHCW is one of several trusts adopting the Cerner system recently, including Milton Keynes University Hospitals FT, County Durham and Darlington FT and East Lancashire Hospitals Trust. All acute trusts in North East London’s integrated care system are also moving to the system.

Cerner declined to comment.