A digital innovation which enables GPs and community nurses to securely access clinical patient information directly from Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust has gone live.
Known as EpicCare Link, the secure digital portal to CUH’s Epic electronic patient record system (EPR) is currently available at Granta Medical Practices in Cambridgeshire – a large practice group comprising of five GP surgeries.
At the touch of a button GPs, community nurses and administrative staff at the practices use this portal to securely view information in their patient’s hospital record to advance shared patient care in a timely and more effective way.
They are able to view latest information about shared patients – from conditions, tests and procedures to results, treatments, clinical letters and recommended follow-up care.
Dr Afzal Chaudhry, renal consultant and chief clinical information officer at CUH, said: “Having secure access to clinical information held within our electronic patient record is bringing huge benefits to our GP and community colleagues at Granta Medical Practice and to our shared patients.
“For example, if a patient visited our emergency department and then went to Granta the following day, their GP would know everything about the care they received and any follow-up care or treatment that is required.
“This real-time information sharing to benefit patients is the future of healthcare and we are proud to be at the forefront of digital advancements in the NHS.”
Dr James Morrow, the managing partner of Granta Medical Practices, welcomed EpicCare Link by saying:
“Both Granta and CUH have invested in modern electronic health record systems. Being able to access patient records seamlessly and in real time for both hospital and community settings helps co-ordinate and improve the delivery of care. We very much welcome this active collaboration for the benefit of our shared patients.”
This is another technological breakthrough for CUH. Last year, the Trust launched its MyChart patient portal, which allows patients’ access to their health records in its Epic system. In April 2018, CUH successfully linked its EPR with West Suffolk Hospital’s Cerner EPR, enabling real-time sharing of patient records between the hospitals to improve care and safety, and prevent unnecessary repeats of tests or procedures.
