Theme: Models of Care Year: 2024
Background: As part of this initiative, honorary contracts were extended to the program participants from MFT. The decision to grant peer support leads access to the hospital system demonstrates a commitment to collaboration and streamlined communication.
After training, Peer Support leads were granted access to the EPR system and can confirm and input information into the EPR system regarding any active patient.
Approach: Peers, Hospital Staff and Substance Misuse Service (SMS) staff are now involved within Multi Disciplinary Team (MDT) meetings which ensures a holistic view of a patient’s situation. This supports patient tracking and tracing and provides valuable insight into patient whereabouts, particularly those lost to follow-up.
Confidentiality and digital safety was a crucial consideration. Minimal information (such as the EPR Number) now provides patient identification and as the peer programme is not within a hospital setting, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) was installed on externally provided laptops.
Analysis: This approach ensures efficient communication, data sharing, and informed decision-making in supporting patients with Hepatitis C.
Peers now participate in medication delivery to patients and all staff members involved with a patient can easily track the actions taken.
Peers can access clinic lists allowing them to identify new patients and engage with them before the clinic date. Blood Test Results are readily available which enhances decision-making and patient care.
Conclusion: Integration and multidisciplinary use and access of the EPR improves has shown patient care, integrated working and data integrity. It is hoped this model will be replicated nationally.
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