Healthcare Communications, the healthcare division of IMImobile, has launched its eClinic software to NHS trusts for free for a year.
The COVID-19 crisis had put considerable stain on the world’s healthcare systems when it comes to dealing with a pandemic situation and emergencies that result from non-pandemic circumstances. By implementing video consultation software such as eClinic, hospitals can forge a more efficient and effective healthcare system, which is digitally viable and ultimately safer for its patients.
Alongside enabling video consultations, the software also allows clinicians to immediately assess urgent patients who cannot attend in person. It also equips clinicians with the ability to securely collaborate with each other over the platform, and to transfer information leaflets to patients via the file transfer facility.
eClinic also allows clinicians to collaborate and exchange medical opinion, through clinician-to-clinician support and consultation features, meaning communications between colleagues can be maintained and kept private, despite the professional distances created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The eClinic video consultation platform enables clinicians to convert entire clinic lists to virtual appointments. Healthcare workers can also use the platform to immediately assess urgent patients who cannot attend in person.
Not only is this kind of IT implementation crucial during the coronavirus outbreak, but digitally transforming patient care will improve overall efficiency for NHS trusts.
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust has implemented IMImobile’s eClinic video consultation software, so that its patients can see their clinicians via online video appointments, without needing to leave self-isolation.
On its first day of use alone, the team was able to triage 23 urgent cancer patients in their own homes and identify nine cases, all of whom would have otherwise been required to visit the hospital and risk exposure to the virus.
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust now have 40 clinicians set up to use the system. Dr Muhammad Javed, Consultant Paediatrician and CCIO at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, said:
“We have always felt that a significant number of our patients do not actually need to come to the clinic. During the current pandemic, having a service like eClinic has become a necessity. The clinicians are able to tailor the consultation to patient’s needs, which has resulted in improved clinician satisfaction and hopefully will result in improved patient satisfaction as well.”
“The clinicians feel that the ability to provide clear instructions to the patient by in-consultation text chat and transferring information leaflets using the file transfer facility makes this consultation mode safer. The ability to share the screen to show the patients their x-rays etc has also proved to be invaluable”
eClinic is being offered to NHS Trusts free of charge for a year. Longer term, eClinic will help NHS Trusts to improve efficiency and avoid wasting valuable resources on missed appointments, while reducing the overall demand placed on hospitals/surgeries.
