Digital Health’s monthly roundup of contracts and go lives
- 1 September 2023
Digital Health’s monthly roundup of contracts and go lives features LNWH going live with its new Oracle Health EPR, NHS Wales rolling out HealthPathways across its services and Frimley ICS rolling out proactive remote monitoring.
London Northwest University Hospital goes live with new Oracle Health EPR
London Northwest University Hospital launched its new Oracle Health electronic patient record (EPR) system on Friday August 18, following more than three years’ planning. The trust said the go-live represented a major investment in local health services.
Chief executive Pippa Nightingale said: “Electronic patient records bring your health information together in one place, allowing our clinical teams to have access to the right information at their fingertips.
“Our new record is tried, tested and secure, and it’ll be a vital part of the improvements we’re planning as part of our strategy, our Way Forward.”
The new system will allow hospitals across north west London to share information easily for patients who need care at more than one trust, while also helping GPs and hospitals to share test results far more quickly.
NHS Wales to roll out HealthPathways across Wales
Wales is to become the first country to adopt HealthPathways, an online guidance tool that will be adopted by NHS Wales to help front-line clinicians make better-informed decisions about patients and strengthen relationships across primary and secondary care.
The HealthPathways’ approach for the creation, dissemination and maintenance of locally-agreed pathways of care was first implemented by Cardiff and Vale University Health Board in 2018, where it has become a cornerstone of their local system. Following its successful implementation, the tool is now expanding across the remaining six health boards in Wales.
Following its deployment at Cardiff and Vale, there were a significant number of health system improvements. The health board saw the greatest reduction in ear, nose and throat outpatient waiting lists in Wales, and around a 66% reduction in referrals for MRIs for knees and spines.
The pathways are informed by evidence, shared, and improved by a collaborative community of over 60 health systems caring for around 35 million people.
Cera launches new Fall Prevention AI with 83% accuracy
Cera has developed and launched AI that predicts people falling at home a week before it happens with 83% accuracy.
Cera’s carers and nurses deliver 50,000 home visits per day to patients on behalf of the NHS and local authorities across the UK. They are able to input key indicators such as poor sleep or a change in mood into the Cera SmartCare App on a smartphone.
This information is then used by Cera’s Fall Prediction AI to accurately predict who is most at risk of a fall. It can predict a fall with 83% accuracy up to a week before it happens, enabling carers to intervene to prevent people falling at home.
The AI technology is not replacing any task currently delivered by a human, unlike many recent AI breakthroughs, and requires the in-person human interaction of a carer or nurse and their patient.
Frimley Health and Care ICS rolls out proactive remote monitoring
The ICS, which covers East Berkshire, Surrey Heath, Farnham and North East Hampshire, has rolled out the solution to 4,000 patients with high-risk conditions such as diabetes, heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as 800 care home residents.
The approach is part of Frimley’s digital transformation programme, Connected Care, and was run in two phases. The first stage saw it implemented within care homes in March 2022, with the patients with complex needs following in December 2022.
Since implementation, Frimley Health and Care has seen hospital admissions reduced by 40% for high-need patients and 34% for care home residents. While A&E attendance has dropped by 31% for high-need patients and 40% for care home residents.
In addition, GP contact was reduced by 19% for the high-need patients and 20% for care home residents, while both groups reduced the volume of medications prescribed by 11%.
Mahana signs with Bayer to commercialise digital therapeutics
Mahana Therapeutics, developer of prescription digital therapeutics designed to empower patients with chronic conditions to live fuller lives, has signed an agreement with the Consumer Health division of Bayer, which will see its new digital therapeutics commercialised.
The partnership will bring together the expertise Mahana has in digital therapeutic development with Bayer’s intention to deliver products to help people take greater control of their own health through the use of digital solutions.
Earlier this year Bayer announced the launch of a new business unit. The Consumer Health division is focused on bringing new digitally-enabled precision health products to market.
The division is prioritising the development of products that will enable people to use digital solutions to take control of their health, and facilitate their ability to make informed choices based on personal insights and novel delivery mechanisms.
David Evendon-Challis, head of R&D and chief scientific officer for the Consumer Health division of Bayer, said: “Digital therapeutics are a perfect addition to our portfolio of care and tap into new tech-savvy consumers looking for drug-free treatments as well as help eliminate gaps in care provision.
“We’re excited to partner with Mahana Therapeutics and enter the field of digital therapeutics in consumer health.”
