The East Midlands Imaging Network (EMRAD) has launched a clinical decision support software solution in partnership with MedCurrent and iRefer.
MedCurrent’s iRefer clinical decision support solution aims to improve the decision-making process of radiology referrers. Using over 300 Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) iRefer guidelines, it seeks to improve healthcare delivery by ensuring the selection of the most appropriate imaging, by using guidance with existing processes in the referral process.
The solution takes into account a patient’s clinical history, such as previous imaging and lab results, to provide recommendations that are specific to that patient’s personal health profile.
On the benefits of the solution, Sarah Sentance, Sherwood Forest Hospital’s Radiology Service Manager, said: “The potential impact of this clinical decision-making tool is to streamline patient pathways and remove unnecessary delays. Unjustified examinations will be reduced via this solution enabling patients to access the most appropriate imaging at the correct time.” She added that it will reduce the queries between radiology and referrers, and noted that it is a learning tool that increases knowledge about the correct imaging pathway for patients.
iRefer was initially rolled out in Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust for use by Nottinghamshire GPs, Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. To date, 1400 GPs have submitted over 26000 requests using iRefer CDS guidance.
Going forward, the implementation of iRefer will expand to United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Northampton General Hospital NHS Trusts, University of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, and Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
Penny Storr, Network Director of EMRAD, commented that the solution “provides clinicians with evidence-based guidance and makes it easy to get the right test first time, which minimises patient delays.”
Dr Steve Herman, Founder & CEO of MedCurrent, said: “We greatly appreciate the opportunity to work with EMRAD and implement the system throughout their network. The demonstration of benefits of its use has been very encouraging and we look forward to more of the same as the system is rolled out more broadly”.
