Somerset introduces web-based EPR viewer across all clinical services

A web viewer that allows all clinicians sight of patient records created in primary care is being rolled out across Somerset.

The Emis Web EPR Viewer enables all healthcare professionals to view GP medical records for the patients they are treating, subject to patient consent at the point of care.

Its rollout follows a successful pilot at Musgrove Park Hospital (part of Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust), Yeovil District Hospital, and at mental health units and community hospitals run by Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

The pilot introduced the viewer within mental health crisis teams, minor injury units and emergency departments, as Digital Health News reported back in July.

The viewer is now being released to all clinical services across Somerset CCG. These include other care providers such as hospices and also those over the Somerset county borders.

Consultant physician Matthew Hayman said the result of the full web viewer implementation is “a joined-up service”.

“It can be lifesaving,” he added. “If we don’t know of a particular medication that a patient is on – anti-epilepsy medication, anticonvulsants, Parkinson’s medication or other critical medications, we can now find out with little effort.

“Until we had the Emis Web EPR Viewer, we were unable to find out about that patient’s other interactions in the NHS.”

Emis, which holds a 55% share of the UK GP EPR market, first introduced its Web Viewer in October 2016. The company says it’s seen been used 10,000 times.

In May this year, Emis Health together with fellow EPR supplier TPP launched a pilot on how to directly link their respective clinical information systems.

The London-based pilot connects the Orchard Practice’s Emis Web system with Hillingdon Diabetes Service’s TPP SystmOne.