Does your organisation face any of these problems?

-hundreds of existing patient information leaflets to keep track of
-a lack of CNST compliant patient information in key areas
-shortage of time and money to achieve what you would like (eg more topics covered; more topics in minority languages).
-inconsistency in the quality of patient information leaflets produced.
-inconsistency of logos, disclaimers, type faces, and point sizes used.
-not knowing when leaflets are due for revision.
-taking months to do a patient information audit

PIMS (Pateient Information management System) is a highly efficient system for creating, publishing, managing and auditing locally produced patient information. It is designed to save time and money.

Features include:-

• automatic aids for authoring patient-friendly material to any desired reading age from 7 upwards (the reading age or Plain English module is called Watchword, developed in conjunction with Newcastle University)

• patient leaflets can have pictures, web links and document links inserted

• in addition to authoring patient information leaflets from scratch, PIMS has a facility allowing existing patient literature to be data-captured into the system and re-edited where necessary

• can include languages other than English

• publication of finished patient leaflets through all electronic channels (staff PCs, public internet, touchscreen terminals, bedside entertainment terminals, mobile units) and in printed form

• ability for authors to collect the comments of their professional peers AND patient representatives during the authoring process

• applying publication dates and prompting when patient leaflets are due for review

• sending automatic email reminders to authors and approvers who are behind schedule

• archiving old versions of material to protect a Trust in the event of litigation

• producing audit trails on who requested, authored and approved each patient information leaflet, together with reports covering all items ever worked on in PIMS

• automatically applying the Trust’s chosen corporate styling, type faces and logos.

• ability to export text to a design agency / print company for printing “glossier” material when required.

To help get you started, Intouch can provide its own CNST-compliant surgical operation factsheets free of charge, for the Trust to re-edit to match its own local procedures. The Watchword reading age (plain English) tool can be applied to these.

The Patient Information Management System (PIMS) fee covers service set up and customization, together with training and a helpdesk service.

Clients include:-

NHS Lothian
South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust
Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust
Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust

An online demonstration is available on request. Please contact Paul Blackburn on 01285 657516 or email paul.blackburn@intouchwithhealth.co.uk