HOSPITALS are using a new database to access patient records quickly in an emergency.


Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust – which runs Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford – has introduced summary care records.
 

They hold limited but essential information about patients, including details of medicines and allergies, and will be used by clinical staff during emergencies or when GP practices are closed.
 

Health bosses say it is quicker than the usual route of sharing patient information by letter, fax, e-mail or phone.
 

Staff accessing the records will have a Smartcard with a chip and passcode and will only access the information they need.


They will also need a patient’s permission to look at their record but if they are unconscious or sedated and staff have to view the information, a note will be made on the care record.



NHS Mid Essex Primary Care Trust has commissioned the summary care records (SCR) service.



Donald McGeachy, medical director at NHS Mid Essex, said: “Mid Essex GPs lead the field in uploading SCRs for their patients.
“More than 90% of patients in mid Essex now have a SCR.
“It is extremely good news that important information from these patients’ medical records is now available to be viewed by clinicians involved in their care at MEHT."



Jane Giles, chief pharmacist at Broomfield Hospital, said: “As the manager of this service I am really enthusiastic about SCRs as I believe they are giving my staff another valuable tool to ensure both patient safety and medicines optimisation as well as improving efficiency by cutting down on telephone calls and faxing “


Patients are given the choice not to have a Summary Care Record available about them, via an opt out form.