Introduction

The NHS requires a comprehensive strategy to optimize Electronic Patient Records (EPRs) for the benefit of both patients and healthcare staff, as highlighted by Alex Lawrence, an improvement fellow at the Health Foundation.

The Current State of EPRs

• EPRs represent a broader challenge in integrating technology within the NHS, often focusing more on the implementation of technology rather than its effective utilization.
• Most funding has been allocated to establishing EPR systems, which, while necessary, has led to challenges in their effective use.
• According to the first year of the Digital Maturity Assessment, although 90% of trusts have implemented EPRs, only 10-30% utilize advanced features like integrated prescriptions and record sharing.

Challenges in Implementation

Implementing EPRs is complex and can take years, as seen in the US, where some providers took up to fifteen years to see significant returns on their investments.

Importance of Training and Culture

• Training: Various training types are essential for maximizing EPR benefits:
  1. Basic training on daily system use, including functionality and coding medical conditions.
  2. Training that emphasizes the ‘why’ behind tasks to foster ownership and awareness of EPR benefits.
  3. Advanced training on utilizing functionalities for insights and quality improvement.
• Culture: A culture that encourages staff to engage with the system and understand digital tools is crucial for success.

Data Utilization

Data from EPRs can enhance direct patient care, service planning, and research. However, challenges exist in data accessibility and extraction, often due to data being stored in offsite warehouses.

The Data (Use and Access) Act presents an opportunity to address these issues, alongside a better understanding of data access agreements between trusts and EPR providers.

Maximizing EPR Benefits

• Simply digitizing records is insufficient for achieving transformative gains; a clear plan and resource investment are necessary.
• Current NHS resources primarily focus on daily maintenance, which does not leverage the full potential of EPRs.
• Integrating AI tools and focusing on advanced functionalities could yield quicker benefits.

Conclusion

Despite the challenges, there is optimism regarding EPRs. A recent Health Foundation survey indicated that clinical staff believe EPRs could save time in the next five years, although they are not yet fully utilized.

It is urgent for the NHS to develop a strategy that transforms EPRs into valuable assets for healthcare in the UK, ensuring they contribute to improved efficiency, care quality, and overall patient and staff experiences.

This initiative should be prioritized alongside other digitization efforts to lay a solid digital foundation for the NHS’s future.