Vision 360 takes off at NHS Westminster

An interoperability pilot, guided by Vision 360 at NHS Westminster has been a high-flying success. INPS talks to Jason Kleeman, ICT Programme Manager at NHS Westminster, to ask why?

 

Vision 360 is a complete IT solution that allows healthcare communities to develop local cross-sector records around their patients. Jason describes what they’ve been using Vision 360 for: "NHS Westminster began a proof of concept pilot in partnership with LPfIT in December 2009 to provide authorised clinicians in local out-of-hours and unscheduled care settings with access to patient records held by their GPs. Since October 2010 clinical data from two practice-based Vision systems has been streamed into Vision 360 and viewed by clinicians in those other settings using their local systems, which interoperate effectively with Vision."

 

Proven availability

Vision 360 realises the healthcare community’s goal and demonstrates the possibilities of joined-up solutions. Jason explains why they decided to conduct a Vision 360 pilot: "The pilot was created to provide unscheduled care with a detailed GP patient record. This would assist with managing the local population's health needs by sharing information between health professionals. Both unscheduled care and the management of long-term conditions is a priority for NHS organisations and the pilot has proved that the sharing of GP records is technically possible and clinically desirable via Vision 360."

 

Cross-sector healthcare activity

INPS asked Jason how Vision 360 will help NHS Westminster to make important decisions. "The streaming of data via Vision 360 has enabled the PCT to demonstrate the use of a detailed patient record and how data that was previously contained only within the GP practice, can now be shared. The success of the pilot has produced further buy-in from clinicians and organisations which is crucial when trying to introduce a new way of collaboration."

 

Vision 360 patient summary

Vision 360 has been configured for NHS Westminster to display the following detailed information and can be adjusted by the inclusion/exclusion of Read-codes:

 

  • Demographics
  • Current medication, repeat medication, medical history
  • Allergies or contra-indications
  • Current problems or diagnosis
  • Test results (haematology, biochemistry, microbiology, examination findings, blood pressure, ECG)
  • GP encounters, referrals/admissions, operations
  • Vaccinations/immunisations

 

NHS Westminster currently has two practices feeding information into Vision 360, but Jason and his team are keen to expand, "We hope to begin a live clinical pilot soon that will encompass up to 20 practices."

 

Community-wide

Jason clarifies that the use of Vision 360 is not intended solely for NHS Westminster. "The pilot was only for NHS Westminster however the it was designed to be scalable and we are looking at utilising this technology across inner North West London. Gone are the days of narrow bespoke systems and wider links to secondary care and social services must be considered."

 

Deployment and Information Governance

INPS asked Jason if Vision 360 was easy to deploy. "The technology was relatively easy to implement however getting information governance, testing and project work off the ground is somewhat harder! The Vision 360 product was able to stream the data seamlessly in the background and it did not impact on the GP system or data. There was no down time for clinical working."

 

Forward-thinking for our future

"Vision 360 has the capability to revolutionise the way data is used in healthcare. Combined with robust access controls, the sharing of information within the healthcare community will undoubtedly improve patient care and resource planning."

 

 

Want to know more?

 

 

Let your local health community see the full picture with Vision 360. Contact your local INPS Account Manager or email vision360@inps.co.uk for more information.