The Carryduff Health Practice: Computing System

Jenny CosgroveConor Boyle

Azlin Rahman

Medical Informatics

The Carryduff Health Centre: An Introduction

EMIS GP Computing System used

Devise by doctors in Leeds 18 years ago

Installed in the Carryduff Health Centre since 1991

The Carryduff Health Centre: An Introduction

Ten minutes drive from Belfast (approx. 8miles away).

Provides healthcare to approximately 8000 people.

Made up of 4 GPs, 1 registrar and 4 supporting staffs.

Fundholding practice

EMIS system: Cost

Installation cost : £13 00075% spent was paid by the NHS to

encourage the use of computers among GP practices

System updates itself constantly and automatically- no cost for updating

Benefits outweigh costs.

Security

System is password protectedEach staff member at surgery has

own username and passwordBlank screen after 2 minutesComputer closes down to password

screenBuilt in virus checker

Security

Daily back-upA copy is kept at the surgery in a

fire-proof safeA further copy is kept off-site

The EMIS system hosts a huge amount of features accommodating a major amount of the practice’s needs.

Features used during consultations include;

appointment detailspatients recordsprescriptions

EMIS system: Features

EMIS Features: Appointments

All appointments entered on to system (no longer a need for an appointment book)

System details; Arrival time of patientLength of wait of

patientLength of consultation

EMIS Features: Patients Records

Surgery is now completely converted from paper to paperless

Notes typed during or after consultation on computer. (Can be slow)

Practice is ‘dabbling’ in voice consultations

EMIS Features: Prescriptions

All prescriptions, entered, stored and printed from computers

System details;DoseUsagePrescription details of drug prescribed.

EMIS Features: Prescriptions

In new prescriptions, system;Checks patients recordsWarns doctorOffers dosage listDisplays costUpdates records

EMIS Features: Programs

Mentor plus programBasically a medical

text book on computer which holds;

Consultation videosOnline advice

leafletsGeneral information

Prodigy program is a further program detailing;

Treatment procedures

AdviceContactsAids to diagnosis

EMIS Features: Additional

Lab results sent through secure line from Belfast City Hospital

Display screen attached to computer in waiting room

System also holds referrals, budget and accounts information

Advantages and Disadvantages

Computerisation within health care has many advantages, although it also introduces new problems and risks

Advantages

Possibility to improve security of data Passwords

LogonScreen saverAutomatic logout

Encryption Hard disk locks Only doctor need see records Audit trail

Advantages

Possibility to improve integrity of data All records related to patient are updated

when just one record is changed e.G. Name Certain fields may be obligatory before a

record can be saved e.G. NHS numberRepeat prescriptions can be easily issuedPatients in specific disease groups can be

isolated - helps in audit and drug trials

Advantages

Decision support systems - may improve care and accuracy of diagnosis - prodigy

Online reference media Enables doctors to quickly check information

about certain conditions - up to date May be used to help educate the patient about

their diseaseMay actually speed up some consultations

Advantages

Waiting times in GP surgery can be assessed to determine efficiency of appointment times

Generally saves time and effort although there is not much difference in cost due to the high price of equipment and need for constant updates

Disadvantages

If correct security measures are not taken then risk may increase

Contingency measures may not have been fully developed so problems may arise in event of system failure

Disadvantages

Entry of notes may be slow if the user has not enough experience

Hospital letters are received in hardcopy and so must be typed or scanned (unreliable and time consuming) back into the computer

TrainingAttention may be drawn away from

patient

EMIS system:Training

Self taughtOne to two days training sessions

Training in Windows