In the category of ‘digital pathway and workflow optimisation’, our Health Tech Awards 2022 finalists are:
ScienceSoft
Overview: ScienceSoft has developed software for diagnostic laboratories to accompany the genetic screening kits offered by their customer, a European manufacturer.
Why? The accompanying software automated processing of genetic screening tests in the laboratories and validated the tests’ quality, helping the customer to improve client experience and ensure accuracy along with fast results interpretation.
What happened? ScienceSoft designed the software taking into account the customer’s technical and business requirements to design lab diagnostics software, fully meeting end-to-end user needs and taking into account human factors such as usage errors, along with safety and usability of the software to minimise potential risks. ScienceSoft built, ensured integration capabilities and carried out comprehensive testing of lab diagnostics software. It works through lab diagnostics software running a quality test on raw test data to identify whether it complies with standards; if it does, the diagnostics solution interprets the test results and checks them against pre-set normal test result parameters. Lab staff can then send the file with interpreted test results to their laboratory information management system and view previous data on dashboard.
Looking ahead. The customer has continued the collaboration and entrusted ScienceSoft with a year-long support project of developing software for laboratory diagnostics.
App Rail
Overview: App Rail is a no-code platform that enables anyone, from clinicians to innovation and IT teams, to build native apps. With no-code delivery, NHS staff can deliver high quality, compliant apps that improve the patient and staff experience and produce revenue streams.
Why? App Rail is intended to save NHS trusts time and money by enabling them to easily build their own native apps that help them automate processes within days, not months, at a fraction of the cost.
What happened? Apps for staff and patients are created using Design Thinking processes to make sure that the idea built is what the users actually need. App Rail allows them to quickly translate these ideas into apps, build a working prototype, test it get feedback and iterate as many times as needed. Little to no technical knowledge is required so clinicians and innovation teams can create the app without the challenge of building a development team. IT teams with technical skills can also use app rail and deliver high quality, compliant apps faster than they would traditionally. The platform also enables trusts to turn their automations into revenue streams by reselling the apps.
Looking ahead. App Rail functionalities continue to save NHS trusts time and money, improving staff experience and patient care.
vCreate
Overview: vCreate is a secure video messaging service developed with leading clinicians that connects patients and families with healthcare professionals to digitise the healthcare pathway and improve remote care management.
Why? Some health conditions rely on specific tests within specific development stages to achieve accurate diagnoses. Ensuring that all patients are correctly tested and reviewed via traditional patient pathways relying heavily on clinic visits is a challenge for already stretched providers.
What happened? vCreate’s secure service, vCreate Neuro, utilises asynchronous video technology to assist clinicians in remotely assessing crucial medical information and footage of events from patients. When concerned about an unknown event, upon referral, patients and carers can upload smartphone-recorded videos of potential seizures or movement assessments to the cloud-based platform alongside answers to bespoke clinician-set questions. The clinical team is alerted and from the videos and metadata they can make a diagnosis, recommend further tests, or provide reassurance of normal behaviours. A 2021 HIS report into NHS Scotland’s use of the technology found that 89 percent of paediatric clinical respondents felt that vCreate Neuro was useful in making a diagnosis and 73 percent found it useful in selecting a treatment.
Looking ahead. vCreate Neuro’s clinical research database will be utilised in a project with NHS Greater Glasgow and Epilepsy Research UK, to develop AI-powered analysis of video.
HCI
Overview: HCI’s CONNECTPlus is an informative and interactive whole health management platform, prescribed to patients as a mobile app by their physician.
Why? It improves self-management, reduces appointment times and improves workflow, providing a customisable solution for digitally supporting patients in limitless care pathways.
What happened? A patient engagement event at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust found that patients are in favour of using apps to manage their health, but having apps that “don’t talk to one another” can become a burden. HCI worked with patients and clinical teams to develop CONNECTPlus, a tool that provides 24/7 access to clinically assured information for multiple conditions and pathways, all in one place. Hospitals can add as many pathways to the app as required, giving patients with multiple conditions or undergoing different surgical interventions one place to find everything they need about their care. Features include condition-specific information, symptom and health score trackers, reminders, ‘meet the team’ information, clinic locations and contact details, links to local and national information, and FAQs. It comes with an intuitive clinical dashboard and can integrate with EPR systems.
Looking ahead. HCI continues to work with patients and clinicians to add features, and will use a Knowledge Transfer Partnership and University of Exeter programme in behaviour change to engage with patients on required functionalities.
GP Automate
Overview: GP Automate uses RPA technology to automate everyday tasks, freeing up clinician time.
Why? GP Automate was developed in the NHS by the NHS by a GP partner of 14 years, in direct response to the unsustainability of general practice.
What happened? RPA technology is used to automate lab reports, patient registrations and Accurx floreys, giving clinical staff time to focus on more meaningful work and better clinical outcomes. With the potential to work 24 hours per day and 7 days per week without the need for breaks, GP Automate is saving over 4 hours of workload every day by automating processes, translating into a cost saving of up to £9.70 per patient per year. The technology also supports morale and job satisfaction among staff by removing mundane, repetitive tasks. GP Automate has been implemented at Premier Medical Centre in London for 8 weeks, and has recently been deployed at three other GP practices in Brent.
Looking ahead. GP Automate is transforming how general practice operates, saving time and costs and providing a roadmap of new automations designed for the NHS to improve long-time sustainability of primary care.
