Hampshire Hospitals is adopting new technology in CliniSys ICE to send test results quickly to staff, as part of its programme to run 1,000 tests a day.
The new tool sends an alert to staff by SMS who have tested for COVID-19 and whose tests have come back negative.
The new functionality in its order communications and results reporting system, ICE, will send a standard text message through the trust’s telecommunications system to staff immediately, aiming to provide staff with immediate results. The trust said this could mean staff can return to work quicker, leave temporary accommodation, or tell their families they can leave self-isolation if they are symptom-free.
Shaun Goldsmith, ICE and Microbiology System Manager, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said “Our ambition is to run 1,000 COVID-19 tests a day, so we needed an automated or near-automated way to get the negative results to staff.”
“Using ICE to generate text messages will speed up the process and avoid lots and lots of telephone calls. It will also enable the trust to focus on calling those people who do test positive, who will need support and advice.”
The tool could also support labs send alerts to key workers and the general public.
Andrew Pickering from CliniSys, said “Hampshire Hospitals came to us with a problem and we were able to develop a solution within three weeks.”
“We have already seen interest from other ICE customers in this functionality, and there is real potential for it to support the roll-out of mass testing, as promised by the government. There is also the potential for labs to use SMS to streamline results reporting in the future.”
The company has also developed a blueprint of the tool to support other trusts.
