Using point-of-care scanning to enable real time data capture and improve patient safety

This case study responds to the following points outlined above.

• Data capture and use in nursing and midwifery practice: how is data used now and how should it be used in the future.
• Changing the practice of nurses and midwives through use of data and technology and addressing barriers.
• Enhancing person centred practice through use of data, information and technology.

The full case study response is outlined below:

Using point-of-care scanning to enable real time data capture and improve patient safety

Background

Nurses and midwives collect large volumes of data across various different touchpoints throughout a patient’s care journey. However this data is not always captured electronically, in real time at the point of care, or in a standardised format. This leaves processes vulnerable to error – whether that be due to manual data capture, or because data is obtained in different formats that cannot be easily shared between required departmental systems.

The ability to capture and share information seamlessly is critical for any patient, but even more so in maternity to ensure the accurate and real-time capture of neonatal data. This can be managed efficiently using point-of-care-scanning technologies combined with the adoption of GS1 standards.

GS1 standards are used to uniquely identify, capture, and share information for every person, every product, and every place, throughout a patient’s care journey. Plus, because the data is captured in a standardised format, this means it is both system and device agnostic rendering it interoperable. It is this interoperability that enables it to be shared seamlessly wherever it is needed. The Scan4Safety programme, introduced in 2016, centred on the use of point-of-care scanning technologies to capture this data in real time, directly at the point of care or use.

Via the Scan4Safety programme six NHS trusts were selected by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), to implement GS1 standards as a means to improve patient safety, reduce unwarranted clinical variation, and drive operational efficiencies.

Results from the programme demonstrate the value of standardising data to enable interoperability and traceability.

What is working well?

Many trusts have started their Scan4Safety journey. Those that have, have been able to improve patient safety, release clinical staff time to care, and reduce inventory costs and wastage.

Examples of case studies to support this can be found here:

https://healthcare.gs1uk.org/cases/the-benefits-of-positive-patient-identification/

https://healthcare.gs1uk.org/cases/carescan-enabling-safer-more-efficient-care/

https://healthcare.gs1uk.org/cases/gs1-standards-and-the-patient-pathway/

https://healthcare.gs1uk.org/cases/university-hospitals-of-derby-and-burton-nhs-foundation-trust-e-obs/

https://healthcare.gs1uk.org/cases/harnessing-the-clinical-benefits-of-point-of-care-scanning/

A national drive for Scan4Safety is currently being led by NHS England Transformation Directorate to encourage NHS trusts to adopt GS1 standards as part of their digital transformation projects.

The full Scan4Safety evidence report can be found here: https://healthcare.gs1uk.org/scan4safety/.

What needs to change?

Greater awareness of Scan4Safety principles and benefits need to be communicated to all nurses and midwives, as it affects the whole patient pathway from admission to discharge.

Use cases and benefits for nursing and midwifery staff include:

• Accurate, positive patient identification (including for newborns) – to ensure the right patient is confirmed prior to any medical treatment
• Accurate breast milk tracking (from mother to baby) – this ensures the newborn receives the right milk, reducing the risk of human error of mismatching mother and baby milk
• Electronic observations – (see Derby’s e-observation case study link above)
• Inventory management/stock control – great monitoring of product availability for procedures e.g. medical devices, consumables and surgical instruments
• Asset management – improved traceability of equipment to ensure it can be located quickly and procedures are not delayed
• Closed-loop medicines administration – an effective patient safety measure to ensure the right medication is administered via the correct route, and that it is in date and at the right dosage
• Live bed state – real-time monitoring of bed available to help with resource and capacity planning
• Patient tracking – beneficial for infection prevention and control by monitoring a patient’s care journey
  
  

More information on use cases and Trust implementation can be found here: https://healthcare.gs1uk.org/cases.

What should we think about for the future?

The widespread adoption of data standards should be an inherent part of every health and care organisation. Scan4Safety and the adoption of GS1 standards provides clear evidence of the benefits that arise when standardised data and real-time data capture are used. All staff would need to have access to the appropriate point-of-care scanning tools, and appropriate knowledge and training, to make sure all staff are equipped to manage any transition period ahead of any changes to processes.

For Scan4Safety to be truly impactful for the nursing and maternity workforce, scanning needs to become “the norm” – just as it is commonplace in retail at the point of sale. Scanning is simple, yet effective, and familiar task encountered on a daily basis.

Scanning technology at the point of care provides real-time patient data and information that enables person centred practice. The information provided can determine better patient outcomes, reduce unwarranted clinical variation and improve patient safety.

GS1 standards are used in every maternity ward within hospitals in England for blood spot cards used as part of the NHS Newborn Bloodspot Screening programme. This references the use of the GS1 GSRN (Global Service Relation Number), used to uniquely identify patients. Additional information can be found in section 3.1 of the guidelines here.

Furthermore, around half of NHS acute trusts either already use, or have plans to use, Scan4Safety for wider use cases. What is really important is that whatever tracking system is used the data must be interoperable as well as system and device agnostic. This will ensure better data sharing and future-proofing against any future demands for data from NHS arm’s length bodies such as NHS England.

With the right tools, education, and understanding of the principles and aims of Scan4Safety, scanning will address barriers to change and enhance person centred practice, encouraging uptake and active use.