SUPPORT SERVICES
theatres, diagnostic departments, and wards, is crucial for efficient patient care. The delivery of essential medical supplies, such as medication and blood products, also depends on portering services.
Backbone of the hospital In essence, support services act as the backbone of the hospital, enabling clinical staff to focus on patient care. When these services are not functioning optimally, it can lead to delays, increased stress, and potentially compromised patient outcomes. A harmonious relationship between support services and clinical functions is essential for delivering safe and effective healthcare. Patient flow and emergency situations significantly influence the workload and priorities of support services. When patient numbers fluctuate, so too does the demand for support services. Increased patient admissions, for instance, necessitate additional cleaning, portering, and catering services. Conversely, a decrease in patient numbers may lead to a temporary reduction in workload. However, even with lower patient numbers, support services must be prepared for sudden increases, such as in the case of a mass casualty incident – when prioritising tasks becomes even more crucial to ensure the continuity of essential services. This requires effective communication and collaboration with clinical teams to coordinate efforts.
A unified task management system So, how can a unified task management system help Trusts address these complex requirements? Let’s look at the example of Fundamentum, which is a digital platform developed by DNV Imatis, a leading Scandinavian digital healthcare solutions provider with whom Wandsworth Healthcare recently announced a collaboration. Fundamentum serves as a central hub for collecting,
integrating, and aggregating data from various sources within a hospital, including patient information, sensor data, and system outputs. It works by creating a real-time digital representation of a hospital, enabling healthcare professionals to access and utilise information quickly and efficiently. The platform connects with an ecosystem of applications that support tasks such as task management, care coordination, and communication. By providing a unified view of patient data and operational information, Fundamentum empowers healthcare providers to make informed decisions and deliver better patient care. Acting as the foundation for a digital healthcare
ecosystem, Fundamentum enables hospitals to streamline workflows, improve efficiency, and enhance patient outcomes through data-driven insights and collaboration. It
also provides the underlying infrastructure for DNV Imatis’ app-based task management technology.
A mobile-first approach Taking a mobile-first approach, the technology enables staff to efficiently handle tasks and work orders directly via an interface on digital whiteboards or on their smartphones or tablets. The intuitive app interface allows support service staff to receive task notifications in real time. Whether it’s a cleaning request, equipment repair, or patient transport, the app provides clear and concise information about the task, including priority, location, and required resources. This ensures that staff can prioritise their workload effectively, and respond to urgent requests promptly. Staff can receive, handle, manage, and finish tasks and work orders directly on their handheld device. Each support service staff member manages their own task load, by accepting or rejecting incoming tasks and using the worklist of active tasks. Once a task has been accepted, the app guides staff through the completion process. It provides step-by-step instructions, checklists, and the ability to add notes and images. This level of detail ensures consistency and accuracy in task execution. Additionally, the app includes features for real-time updates, allowing staff to communicate with other departments and request support if needed. To optimise efficiency, the system incorporates ‘intelligent task allocation’ based on factors such as staff availability, location, and skillset. This ensures that tasks are assigned to the most suitable personnel, minimising
Hospitals are increasingly adopting digital tools and platforms to streamline their operations.
October 2024 Health Estate Journal 105
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