Press Release - Addenbrooke’s

 




Electronic Discharge System developed for Addenbrooke’s

 

Beacon Computer Technology designs unique web-based system

 

CAMBRIDGE, UK – June 6th 2006 - Beacon Computer Technology has developed a unique web-based, integrated clinical database and discharge document production system, called e-Discharge. Developed initially for Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, the system is designed to improve clinical care, improve the patient experience, reduce discharge times, and increase the quality of patient information.
 
The system replaces manual methods of producing discharge letters and allows data input at any stage of the patients’ journey through a ward, not just on discharge. It manages pharmacy and drug dispensation and allows thorough checks to be performed enabling users to comply with drug dispensing legal requirements. It also provides GP’s and other community carers with an accurate summary of a patients’ information on the day of discharge. Information is presented in a standardised format for use by future carers in the Trust on subsequent clinic visits and admissions. In addition, e-Discharge facilitates clinical audits by storing easily accessible data in electronic format.
 
“e-Discharge has proved to be an invaluable addition to our internal discharge process”, said Dianne Nixon, Addenbrooke’s IT Program Manager. ”The system represents a huge step forward for us in a number of areas. We have been able to dispense with previous manual methods for producing discharge letters thereby making the process more accurate, efficient and effective. We have also been able to reduce our discharge times and improve the quality of patient information. Since all the patients’ information is stored electronically and presented in a succinct discharge summary, it means we can provide quality information to GPs and other carers on the patients continuing care in the community. As a web-based system, all the information is immediately available across the Trust and at hand for any future admissions. It also provides essential information as part of any follow-up visits to outpatients. Currently, for every in-patient stay, an e-Discharge summary is produced – this amounts to around 800 per week and forms part of the patient’s electronic medical record. “
 
“From the outset, we developed a good close working relationship with Beacon. They quickly understood our core business and what we were trying to achieve, “added Dianne.
 
“We are delighted to have designed and developed such an important application for Addenbrooke’s and significantly improved their discharge process”, said Steve Jeffery, Delivery Manager at Beacon Computer Technology. “Our key priority was to meet customer requirements that the system be easy-to-use, configurable, flexible and secure. We were also committed to developing a system that would be welcomed by the clinicians and gain universal acceptance within the Trust. By designing the system using standard web-based browser technology, we have been able to avoid any user deployment issues and fully meet Addenbrooke’s requirements.”
 
e-Discharge is written using Microsoft .NET technologies with a SQL Server database for extensibility and ease of maintenance. The system can be easily integrated with other current software and document management systems.
 
Beacon is now offering this system to other NHS Trusts and health care providers in order that they may take advantage of the benefits this system provides.
 
About Addenbrooke’s
Addenbrooke’s, part of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, is a local hospital, the teaching hospital for the University of Cambridge, a national centre for specialist services, and a leader in research and development. With an income of over £360 million and around 1100 beds, it employs over 6500 staff dedicated to the provision of a wide range of clinical and non-clinical services. Addenbrooke’s is the local district hospital for the approximately 0.5 million people who live in the Cambridge sub-region and the surrounding district.
 
The Trust is also a leading international centre for biomedical research and medical education, and shares its site with the University of Cambridge, the Medical Research Council, the Wellcome Trust, the British Heart Foundation and Glaxo SmithKline.
 
Dianne Nixon
Tel: 01223 217212
 
About Beacon
Founded in 1986, Beacon Computer Technology is one of the UK's leading software development companies specialising in consulting, design, development and deployment of customised solutions.
 
After 20 years in the software business, we have built a reputation as a trusted provider of high quality bespoke software with an experienced team of in-house consultants and developers. Our clients include some of the UK's leading organisations across a wide range of business sectors.
 
For more information, please contact:
Rebecca Reynolds
Tel: 01223 506616