Bristol implements Imprivata SSO

University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust has implemented Imprivata’s single sign-on as a first step towards upgrading its patient administration systems.

The trust recently announced it had selected System C to provide it with a new patient administration system and electronic patient record system.

Theatre, maternity and A&E systems will also be replaced with Medway modules, while the trust will deploy a JAC pharmacy stock control system as part of its Clinical Systems Strategy.

To help staff with the transition from its HP-EDS Swift patient administration system to the new systems, the trust has introduced Imprivata’s OneSign 4.5 across all its hospitals. This will enable them to access multiple systems with a single password.

Head of IM&T Andrew Hooper told eHealth Insider the introduction of single sign-on came as a result from direct staff requests.

“When we went through the evaluation of the systems we had, they came to us and asked us to change something so they didn’t have all the different log-ins.”

He said the first stage of implementing single sign-on had been completed. Hooper also said “planning is still being finalised” around the go-live date for Medway, but System C staff “are on the ground”.

E-Health Insider reported that the trust chose System C over Cerner for the PAS/EPR upgrade after shortlisting both companies in March.

Hooper said implementation of single sign-on was the first step out of eight that needed to be completed ahead of a go-live.

The trust has not disclosed the cost of implementing Imprivata’s OneSign, or the value of the System C contract.

A trial of the single sign-on technology began in the IT laboratory, and was then introduced to the emergency departments at Bristol Royal Infirmary and Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.

Now 5,100 users within the trust’s seven hospitals have been set up with single sign-on log-in access to patient data.

Before single sign-on was introduced, staff had to memorise between six and ten separate log-ins. Hooper said the new system had made a huge improvement to staff efficiency.

“For instance, if you’re a doctor in [the emergency department] you have to keep logging in and out of different systems all the time. The time savings [brought by the new system] will be quite significant over time.”

In addition, the Imprivata technology has enabled users secure access to patient data from neighbouring trusts.

The trust’s computer services manager, Dave Oatway, said the Imprivata single sign-on had also improved data security and simplified day-to-day data access.

“As a speciality centre for several different types of treatment - including oncology services and paediatric care - security, confidentiality and clinician productivity are all essential to the service that we provide to our patients.”

He also said the improved control across user accounts meant they were able to comply with the Information Governance toolkit and in-house security policies.

The toolkit is an online system which allows organisations to assess themselves against Department of Health information governance policies and standards.