Partnering with a Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Is your Trust facing challenges in meeting critical deadlines for essential system configurations? Have you secured the right experts to ensure the successful implementation of complex healthcare systems?
Here’s how we helped an NHS Trust turn around its Pathology and Radiology projects in under three months, utilising a specialised team and a people-first approach to deliver exceptional results.
The Requirement
Before engaging with us, the Trust was facing significant delays in their Pathology and Radiology configuration projects. They needed immediate specialist support to meet critical deadlines, and the project was at risk of failing to meet key objectives.
The scope of the project involved the configuration of multiple systems, including a new Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and an Emergency Department Tracking Board. This impacted several key departments and had a far-reaching effect on the hospital’s operations.
Main Objectives:
- Ensure successful integration of the new LIMS with pathology systems.
- Streamline communications and data sharing between the Trust and Adult Social Care.
- Enhance the efficiency and accuracy of transfusion medicine processes.
- Improve real-time tracking of patient care in the Emergency Department.
- Mitigate risks during system updates by introducing environment change control.
Project Progress
Identifying And Onboarding Consultants
To address the Trust's urgent need, we worked to swiftly identified three highly skilled configuration consultants specialising in Pathology and Radiology. The recruitment process involved advertising on LinkedIn and conducting detailed interviews with applicants. These consultants were onboarded within just four days, allowing the project to progress without further delays.
By rapidly assembling the team, we played a critical role in putting the project back on track and meeting its operational goals.
Redevelopment Of The Pathology System
The team undertook a complete redevelopment of the pathology system in preparation for full end-to-end testing. This was especially vital as the lab was in the process of transitioning to a new LIMS. The redevelopment ensured that all processes were aligned with the new system, reducing the likelihood of errors and improving overall operational efficiency.
The overhaul of the pathology system was a key step in ensuring a smooth transition to the new LIMS, helping to future-proof the Trust’s operations.
Implementation Of E-Referrals
One of the standout initiatives was the implementation of eReferrals between the Trust and Adult Social Care. This system streamlined communications and greatly improved coordination, allowing for faster and more accurate patient care referrals. The enhanced communication significantly reduced response times and improved patient care outcomes.
This system laid the foundation for more effective collaboration between departments and external care providers, significantly improving patient flow and coordination.
The Delivery
Configuration Consultant Team Impact
The consultants had an immediate positive impact, helping to regain control of the Pathology and Radiology systems configurations. With their specific focus on operational objectives, the consultants were able to accelerate the project's progress. Their involvement also contributed to the Trust winning two prestigious HTN Awards: Major Project Go Live and Best Use of Data.
Their integration into the team brought both expert knowledge and much-needed capacity, directly contributing to the project's turnaround and ultimate success.
Launch Of The Emergency Department (Ed) Tracking Board
The configuration and launch of the ED Tracking Board was a critical milestone, going live in March 2021. This system improved the hospital’s ability to monitor patient flow in real-time, enhancing care delivery and resource allocation. The board gave staff immediate insights into patient statuses, which improved decision-making and helped optimise care delivery during peak hours.
The system has been instrumental in managing patient flow, leading to better outcomes and faster service delivery in the Emergency Department.
Introduction Of Environment Change Control Procedures
To mitigate potential risks during system updates and transitions, the team implemented environment change control procedures. These processes ensured that system updates could be smoothly integrated without disrupting hospital operations. The introduction of these procedures enhanced system reliability, minimising downtime and ensuring uninterrupted service to patients.
By implementing these control measures, the Trust was able to navigate complex system changes with minimal risk, ensuring the project’s long-term sustainability.
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- HTN Project Awards
The Results
Our swift response and expert resource provision were crucial to the Trust meeting its deadlines and delivering critical operational improvements. The project not only met its objectives but also resulted in two HTN Awards for Major Project Go Live and Best Use of Data. The successful turnaround, achieved in under three months, highlights the value of specialised support in healthcare system configuration projects.
Looking to hire a LIMS Configuration Specialist? Wanting hiring options for your Configuration project? Contact the team today.