The East Midlands Imaging Network (EMRAD) launches Clinical Decision Support for Radiology Referrals across the East Midlands
The East Midlands Imaging Network (EMRAD) launches Clinical Decision Support for Radiology Referrals across the East Midlands
The East Midlands Imaging Network (EMRAD) has launched a clinical decision support software solution called iRefer CDS for radiology referrals across the East Midlands in partnership with the software provider MedCurrent.
MedCurrent’s iRefer Clinical Decision Support (CDS) solution is an initiative that improves the decision-making process of radiology referrers in real-time. It uses over 300 Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) iRefer guidelines to improve healthcare delivery by ensuring the selection of the most appropriate imaging. The guidance blends with general practitioners (GPs) and other healthcare professionals existing process to ensure minimal extra work to the referral process.
The benefits of using iRefer CDS are: to support the referral process include getting the patient to the most appropriate type of imaging or other specialist referral as soon as possible; and reducing un-necessary workload within radiology departments.
iRefer CDS was deployed in Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust on 23rd August 2022 for use by Nottinghamshire GPs, Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust on 4th October 2022 for Northamptonshire GP’s and Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on 25th October 2022 for Sherwood GPs. So far, 1400 GPs have submitted over 26000 requests using iRefer CDS guidance. In the coming months, deployment 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 said: “We are pleased to have launched iRefer CDS across the east midlands region. So far, the solution has shown much promise in Nottinghamshire and Kettering. It provides clinicians with evidence-based guidance and makes it easy to get the right test first time, which minimises patient delays”.
We are look forward to seeing more benefits of iRefer across the region, especially in support of patient care, she added.
Sara Bharmal, Nottingham University Hospitals Radiology General Manager said: “We are very pleased with the roll out of IRefer CDS for X-Rays being requested by GPs at NUH and we are looking at extending this to referrals for ultrasound appointments in the near future. IRefer CDS complements the existing Radiology Advice & Guidance system in place which together improve communications and information between GPs and Radiology all for the benefit of getting patients access to the right imaging first time.”
Kath Halliday, President of the Royal College of Radiologist and Consultant Paediatric Radiologist at Nottingham University Hospitals said: “Radiology is under severe pressure because of chronic understaffing and the COVID-19 backlog. Tools like iRefer CDS can improve patient outcomes as well as saving money and the time of our clinical colleagues. This is good news all-round”.
Sarah Sentance, Sherwood Forest Hospital 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”. This will reduce the queries between radiology and referrers; it is a learning tool that increases knowledge about correct imaging pathway for patients – she added.
The solution factors patients’ clinical history, such as lab results and previous imaging, to ensure that recommendations are specific to each patient’s unique health profile and ultimately support better health outcomes.
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”.
Notes for editors
About the East Midlands Imaging Network (EMRAD):
EMRAD is a regional partnership of eight hospital trusts across the region and has been supporting the imaging (or radiology) community for many years. Between them, these Trusts run 14 hospitals, covering more than five million patients. EMRAD aims to deliver timely and expert imaging services to patients across the region, regardless of where they are being treated.
The eight NHS Trusts which are part of EMRAD are: Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (Host Organisation), Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, and University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust.
For more information, visit the www.emrad.nhs.uk website.
Contact for further information:
Name: Dammy Bello
Email: info.emrad@nuh.nhs.uk
About Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust
Formed in 2006, Nottingham University Hospitals are now one of the biggest and busiest acute Trusts in England, employing 14,500 staff. We provide services to over 2.5 million residents of Nottingham and its surrounding communities. We also provide specialist services to a further 3-4 million people from neighbouring counties each year. The Trust is made up of Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham City Hospital and Ropewalk House.
About Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Kettering General Hospital is a medium-sized district general hospital that provides a wide range of services to about 300,000 people in North Northamptonshire. The hospital has served its local community since 1897. It became an NHS Trust in 1994 and a Foundation Trust in November 2008. The Trust's goal is to provide the highest standards of care for all of its patients and to fully support carers and visitors. The Trust employs around 4,000 staff and considers them its greatest asset. As well as services based at the main Kettering site the Trust also runs a wide range of outpatient clinics in Corby, Wellingborough and Rushden.
About Sherwood Forest Hospitals
We provide outstanding healthcare from modern buildings and increasingly across the community to 500,000 people in Mansfield, Ashfield, Newark, Sherwood and parts of Derbyshire and Lincolnshire. We work with 5,000 colleagues in our three hospitals – King’s Mill, Newark and Mansfield Community and we have well established relationships with partners in health and social care through the Mid Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Partnership.
We are a committed member of the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP), which is now moving to an Integrated Care System (ICS). In this system, NHS organisations, along with local councils and other partners take collective responsibility for all of our resources, delivering NHS standards, and improving the health of the population they serve.
About MedCurrent
MedCurrent is a physician-founded Clinical Decision Support (CDS) company focused on improving the quality of care and managing health system costs through our innovative and scalable solutions, OrderWise® and iRefer® CDS. Our solutions enhance the clinical decision-making process with real-time, evidence-based guidelines integrated at the point of care to improve health and healthcare delivery. Deep healthcare experience, superior technology and business agility make MedCurrent a global leader in CDS solutions. For more information, visit www.medcurrent.com.