An innovative healthcare IT system, created by Bath-based IPL, that helps paramedics deliver better care to patients has been shortlisted as a finalist in two leading IT awards.
The Electronic Referral Information Sharing System (ERISS) was commissioned by the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust (NWAS), and built in collaboration with IPL, a full-service IT services organisation.
ERISS has been shortlisted for ‘Best use of IT to support integrated healthcare services’ at the E-Health Insider Awards 2014, and is also a finalist in the ISD Informatics Awards 2014.
ERISS supports the implementation of Paramedic Pathfinder and Community Care Pathways and enables care providers to share information and manage relationships and patient care needs by providing information, support and continuity of care outside of traditional clinical settings.
There are currently 2,333 registered users of ERISS in the North West of England.
Dr David Ratcliffe, GP and NWAS’ Deputy Medical Director, said: “As a GP it is sometimes frustrating to find that a patient has been admitted to hospital via ambulance when there is a care plan in place that could have prevented the admission.
“Over the last year I have been using ERISS to inform NWAS of care plans and other useful information such as next of kin, carer details and access issues.
“The system then reminds me when the plan is due for updating and alerts the ambulance staff that there is a plan prior to their arrival at the patient.
“Within our commissioning group we are now going to upload all of the consented patients registered for the admission avoidance enhanced service onto ERISS to ensure the ambulance service can provide safe care closer to home as much as possible.”
Simon Catley, IPL’s Services Director, said: “ERISS is a perfect example of where innovative use of IT can genuinely improve people’s lives. We’re delighted that this work IPL has done with NWAS has been recognised by leading healthcare professionals as delivering excellence in this field.”
