This year marks a decade of us working with North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, a relationship which began when they chose to implement our TrakCare Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system. Since implementing TrakCare in 2014, the trust has saved more than 50 hours a day, and are experiencing safer ways of working, since becoming the first in the UK to use the InterSystems TrakCare electronic prescribing and medicines administration (ePMA) system.
The ePMA technology has replaced a previous paper-based approach to prescribing and administering medicines to patients, with medicines administration now completed for a patient in approximately one third of the time. Most recently, we have played a key role in the success of their Electronic Observations (eObs) and Early Warning Score (EWS) Sepsis Dashboard which has helped to streamline and drive efficiencies across their nurse admissions process.
Today, our latest collaboration on their Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admissions digitisation project is showcasing how technology can support healthcare professionals in delivering better patient care. Together, we’ve made significant strides in transforming the ICU admissions process, making it faster, more accurate, and ultimately more focused on patient needs.
When we began this project, the goal was clear: to eliminate cumbersome paper-based admissions processes and create a digital workflow that would streamline operations and improve care quality. The ICU module of our TrakCare EPR system is now live at the trust, following months of close collaboration between ICU staff across medical, nursing, and allied health groups and the Digital Programme Team.
The admissions process, which previously required a 45-page paper document, has been transformed. TrakCare has reduced the time needed to complete admissions by 33% on average. For a trust with 837 ICU admissions annually, this reduction means over 25,000 clinical hours are redirected to patient care – a vital reallocation that enhances the focus on patient outcomes.
Involving frontline staff who would use the system daily was key to the project’s success. This collaboration ensured that the digital solution not only mirrored the paper-based system but also provided substantial improvements in efficiency and accuracy. This input ensured a seamless transition to a digital format that feels familiar but is inherently more effective.
Reaping the rewards
The digital switch also has financial implications. By eliminating paper forms, NTH expects to save approximately £35,229 annually in stationery costs, and administrative time that would otherwise be spent preparing paper packs. These savings are critical for maximising resources and reinvesting in patient care.
In addition, moving away from paper-based processes has seen the trust reduce its secondary carbon footprint by 30.91 tonnes of CO2e annually, underlining its commitment to both improving patient care and promoting sustainability in healthcare.
The transition from paper to digital also included consolidating scattered clinical notes into Active Clinical Notes within TrakCare. This consolidation makes it easier for the care team to access and share patient information. Additionally, the introduction of a nursing task list has further improved workflow, ensuring that essential assessments are completed on time, day and night.
The people dimension
Recognising that a successful transition to digital requires thorough preparation, North Tees emphasised training. The trust’s digital team, with the support of nursing teams, conducted comprehensive training for 400 ICU staff members, including doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals - covering 90% of the ICU workforce. This extensive training ensured that staff were ready to use the new system effectively from day one.
Following the implementation, staff members reported that the new system has made their jobs easier, allowing them to spend less time on documentation and more time with patients. This shift has not only improved efficiency but also enhanced the overall quality of care - a key objective of the project.
The success of the ICU digitisation project is a testament to what can be achieved through close collaboration and a shared commitment to improving patient care. At North Tees, this project, along with the earlier project which focused on digitising nursing admissions documentation, is seen as a stepping stone to broader digital transformation across the trust. Plans are already underway to extend similar digitisation efforts to other areas, including outpatients and stroke pathways.
We’re excited to continue working closely with North Tees, helping them access the tools they need to provide the best possible care. This project demonstrates that combining innovative technology with the expertise of dedicated healthcare teams can make a meaningful difference in patient outcomes.
For more information on InterSystems TrakCare, and how it can help your organisation streamline the admissions and patient care processes, contact InterSystems today to arrange a demo.
