Medway NHS Trust, in Kent, have installed a new internet-based teledermatology system that allows doctors in remote locations to make clinical decisions. E-Ceptionist, based in Houston, Texas, claim that their software reduces waiting times and helps to keep down waiting lists.


Kye Johnanning, spokesperson for E-Ceptionist, told E-Health Insider how the system works: "When the patient gets seen by the nurse, he/she asks a series of questions. The patient to follow they will take photographs. It’s then entered into the appointment record.


“The doctors can log on over a secure internet connection using Internet Explorer, see the nurse’s comments and transmit information and follow-up recommendations."


Patients are referred by their GP to the system, and doctors who view the images can opt to see the patient, order minor surgery or send out a treatment plan. A spokesperson for the hospital said that this helped to conserve resources: “It is nationally recognised that there is a shortfall in the number of dermatology specialists and consultants available. This service enables the patients to have a specialist opinion provided and the treatment commenced with the GP sooner than waiting for a traditional outpatient consultation, whilst maintaining the option of a ‘face to face’ consultation if required."


In Medway NHS Trust’s case, the system was successful: “Approximately 60% of the patients using the teledermatology process return to their GP with a treatment plan and do not require a outpatient hospital appointment."

The new system replaced a version of the software supplied by a company that had gone into liquidation, and work had been done on making it more user-friendly by improving the GUI, as well as the ability to automatically print out letters. All patient data is kept on an electronic patient record for future reference, and HL7 format is used.


According to E-Ceptionist, their UK customers actually sometimes found it convenient that the company was based in the US: “Because we’re six hours behind, people can tell us of technical problems before they leave in the evening and have them fixed in the morning."


E-Ceptionist also supplies Royal Brompton and Harefield and Wirral NHS trusts with software, along with American troops in Iraq with electronic patient record systems.

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