Electronic systems to lift patient safety

A move towards e-health - gradually replacing paper systems with electronic ones - will be safer for patients, says Wairarapa DHB.

An article released by Health and Disability Commissioner Anthony Hill this month highlighted errors caused by miscommunication and poor handovers, reminding DHBs and GPs that they needed robust systems to ensure patients did not fall through the cracks.

Wairarapa DHB has been working to sharpen its processes and make systems electronic over the last couple of years, and there is more in the pipeline.

ICT manager Gary Ireland said though it was unlikely Wairarapa DHB would ever go completely paperless, it had a focus on improving the way information was exchanged.

"The reality in New Zealand is that systems are pretty unconnected, every hospital has its own system. They don't talk to each other and there's limited information flow between systems."

The DHB has been putting in place "e-referrals", which mean instead of a patient taking paper between services, the relevant information is sent by staff electronically.

They started with specialist referrals and are now putting the system in place at the emergency department.

The Shared Care Record was up and running in June, allowing hospital staff to access patients' medical records avoiding any bungles with medication doses and existing conditions.

"It's great for patients and clinicians, it's safer for patients because doctors are better informed." Wairarapa DHB boards and committees only get papers electronically now, and together with other DHBs in the lower North Island are working towards an integrated system.

Mr Ireland said the hospital was still using paper charts, but would work towards changing it.

The changes are motivated by financial, practical and environmental factors, said Mr Ireland.

"It's all of those things, but the main driver for us is ... to make it better for the patient, safer for the patient."