BigHand says that its digital dictation workflow technology has improved the turnaround time for patient notes by 40% at one GP practice.
BigHand technology has replaced analogue tape dictation equipment for ten GPs and five secretaries at the Yaxley Group Practice in Peterborough.
Before the installation, GPs often found that the tapes would break and they would have to re-record the notes. It was also impossible for GPs to prioritise dictations before handing them to secretaries for transcription.
GPs can now record and instantly submit work to the pool of five secretaries, who can pick up each dictation as it is recorded or share work among themselves so it can be carried out as fast as possible.
Dr Tom Davies, Partner at Yaxley Group Practice commented: “One of the main benefits of BigHand is the ability to prioritise patient notes.
“Urgent cancer referrals have to be processed within a short space of time and BigHand has enabled our secretaries to transcribe urgent dictations within 24 hours of the GP seeing the patient. As a result, we now meet referral targets.
“In total, we have experienced a 30-40% improvement in patient notes turnaround since eradicating the use of tapes.”
Dr Davies said the system has improved other working practices as well. “Our GPs now dictate in front of the patient, reassuring them that the dictation has been accurately recorded and immediately sent to the secretary for transcription.
“Patients can leave the surgery knowing that their notes aren’t stuck on a tape waiting for a secretary to type them up.’’
BigHand has many acute sector clients. NHS organisations using BigHand software include Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, Edinburgh University Health Service, Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust and Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust.