Anyone done any evaluation of the use of digital pens in the NHS ?
Searching EHI news not a bad place to start. We've done a fair few pieces on Digital Pens and their use in the NHS.
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We keep looking at them, then thinking which service would benefit and then coming to a halt again.
One issue we have is what to do do with the "paper" that's created, fine if you have to leave something with the patients.
Then there is type of handheld device required for Bluetooth connection.
From from a training perspective its great as it is a pen. :-) But there is a fair cost/benefit analysis to be undertaken beyond a pilot.
We keep hearing from digital pen companies which have 'success stories'. But they are relatively isolated. I've heard that the biggest issue with these systems is the capital investment needed to implement such working.
Regardless, a digital pen is on my wish list! Along with a Ki-Fit...
Know what you mean, but it has yet to be rolled out across a big scale from what I have seen. Am sure someone will prove me wrong (hope so)
Hi Handy,
You need to give me a ring, O2 health provides Digital Pen Solution to a number of NHS trusts, there is a framework to purchase this from and can be spread over a monthly cost if required.
Lee 07801 107927
Unfortunately the NHS isn't the best organisation in adopting solutions quickly, therefore, seeing this rolled out on a large scale won't be seen. Individual trusts have adopted solutions quickly and some even roll out across the entire trust.
Cost is an issue, but the NHS is moving more to a 'spend to save' attitude which is great. There is always a way to finance a project!
Digital pens do seem popular with some staff groups, like midwives and therapists. But I've never quite 'got' the whole concept.
Why just digitise paper? It might make it quicker to create documents, but how does it help with sharing or searching them? Does it get you any closer to a 'proper' electronic record?
Or is the dirty little secret that a lot of the notes captured this way are not, in fact, much used or referred to (and might even be dispensed with...).
I have to say, that when my father was seriously ill, community nurses spent an awful lot of time creating (paper) notes of this kind...
There's some info about evaluating digital pens on the Perinatal Institute's PEER (Perinatal Episode Electronic Record) pages www.perinatal.nhs.uk/peer/peerdigital.htm and they have a QIPP www.perinatal.nhs.uk/peer/PEER_QIPP.pdf
Seems to me that the cost of digital pen technology is currently the biggest barrier to use
See www.ehi.co.uk/news/acute-care/7223/ehi-awards-2011:-the-winners
I think the key thing is being able to integrate them so they connect directly into the Trust's systems in real-time - "capture once, use often" and all that.
www.ehi.co.uk/news/primary-care/5867
Happy to chat further what we have been up to, recent winner of a physiotherapy technology award
Paul,
Do the patients keep the paper copy created or are these destroyed after creation?
At present when upladed onto the EPR and staff are happy the record is complete we destroy by shredding, but I see no reason why the patient could not keep the original. This is being discussed to support our physio service with record requests.
My email address is paul.chapman@rothgen.nhs.uk if you want to discuss further be happy to share more information.
I'd like to see how they are used.
The main sell I've heard is record form filling or entering data for assessment forms but at the centre of this, is keeping the old paper methods of working in electronic form.
We're in the process of introducing SNOMED CT. We now have patient problems coded with linked coded interventions and progress notes. I don't see how these work with digital pens, even with our relatively clinical data capture system?
I work for a digital pen company and have for the last 3 years sold only into the NHS. I currently work with a number of NHS trusts, and with many different services. I have plenty of case studies that I can share with anyone, including one from Rotherham who has also commented. If you would like to contact me and ask me any questions you may have my email address is: sarah.nardone@ubisys.co.uk
