BT has awarded a contract to First DataBank so it can use its Multilex Drug Data File as part of RiO, the electronic patient record that is being rolled out across London and the South under the National Programme for IT in the NHS.
The First DataBank drug knowledge database has been integrated into RiO by CSE Healthcare Systems, to provide clinical and commercial information on all UK pharmaceutical products and patient-specific clinical decision support at the point of care.
Although it is already used in both primary and secondary care, this is the first time that Multilex DDF will be widely used by clinicians in community and mental health.
Kevin Gee, head of BT’s community and mental health business unit, said: “BT in conjunction with the London Programme for IT has made great strides in rolling out RiO to trusts in London and the South of England, bringing real benefits to staff and patients alike.
“With the addition of First DataBank’s drug knowledge base, the system has been further enhanced and equips healthcare professionals with a valuable tool which can help provide better, safer patient care.”
The new functionality will be provided in a new release of the software, known as Release One, that will be rolled out over the next year. The new release will also provide improved e-prescribing functionality, reporting, and order communications and results from pathology and radiology.
Darren Nichols, managing director of First DataBank said: “BT is ideally placed to make a major contribution to the UK healthcare IT landscape.
"Our contract with BT marks the beginning of an important widening of access to the drug knowledge base that has proven so valuable in increasing patient safety.”
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