South Tees launches trust-wide flow management tech following successful proof-of-concept

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is launching a new digital patient flow dashboard to manage outpatient flow across both of its hospital sites, The James Cook University Hospital and Friarage Hospital.

Following a four-month pilot programme at the trust’s ophthalmology and trauma and main outpatient departments, Flow Manager by Intouch with Health will launch trust-wide.

“After a relatively short pilot programme across outpatients we have seen improvements in clinic efficiency and financial performance, and a better experience for our patients.”

A spokesperson at South Tees said: “After a relatively short pilot programme using Flow Manager across outpatients we have seen improvements in clinic efficiency and financial performance, and a better experience for our patients.

“Staff can view the status of each patient, including if they have arrived and checked-in or if they are late, if they have been called to be seen, and when their appointment has started.

“They can plan, manage and update the entire patient journey through Flow Manager which integrates with our EPR and has helped improve care coordination across and deliver significant operational efficiencies.”

Following the pilot, South Tees has secured funding through the NHSE elective recovery tech fund to expand the digital patient flow management project.

“They (staff) can plan, manage and update the entire patient journey through which integrates with our EPR and has helped improve care coordination across and deliver significant operational efficiencies.”

The trust will also introduce Intouch with Health’s digital outcomes recording software, eOutcomes, across all sites to replace paper outcome forms.

The spokesperson added: “Digital outcomes recording helps us capture data and procedure codes accurately and consistently across our sites following patient consultations, and ensures the information is immediately updated in our EPR.”

The trust will also launch over 20 patient self check-in kiosks and 35 digital calling screens, and Intouch’s Mobile Appointment Manager app to allow outpatients to check in using their smartphone on arrival.

David Warburton, Regional Sales Director at Intouch with Health said: “Following a successful proof of concept we are delighted to be able to support South Tees to extend the use of our patient flow technology across the trust.

“With a patient population of 1.5 million across the Tees Valley and North Yorkshire, this technology will be key to helping staff and patients navigate the elective care backlog.”

South Tees launches trust-wide digital patient flow management