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Flo wins top "Digital" accolade at NHS Sustainability Awards 2017
‘Flo’ in West Lancashire’s Heart Failure Service named No1 for NHS digital sustainability
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West Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group (WLCCG) implemented an effective Tele Health text messaging system – ‘Flo’ in West Lancashire’s Heart Failure Service. Flo (which was named after Florence Nightingale) sends patients reminders and health advice tailored to the patient’s needs.
The technology allows Clinicians (Doctors or other health professionals such as Nurses or Community Matrons) to design specific protocols (define messages, set up parameters and alerts, etc.) on Flo for their patients. Flo enables Clinicians to capture real time information about their patients at any time via a simple messaging interface. The solution prompts the patients to submit readings such as their oxygen, pulse, blood pressure and weight readings. Depending on the readings, prompt advise & guidance is given to the patients; Clinical alerts (if any) are sent to the Clinicians.
Since the implementation of Flo within the Heart Failure Service, the selected cohort of patients, identified suitable for this technology, were able to self-manage their conditions more effectively. It decreased unnecessary Clinician-patient contact and released capacity within the system for more appropriate appointments and referrals.Recent feedback captured from patients using Flo, following it’s implementation, have shown:
- Significant reduction in the number of face-to-face Clinician-Patient contact, thereby reducing hospital admissions/unnecessary visits
- Empowered patients to manage their health conditions better
- Freed up Clinician’s time to see other patients who need urgent care
- Delivered positive patient experience due to a sense of personal support and flexibility offered by the unique Tele Health solution
- Patients felt more confident co-managing their condition
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Scotland; 'Mission Slimpossible', ‘Walk 500 Miles Step Count Challenge’ & fab new video from NHS Lothian
It's another busy month for Simple Telehealth Community members and whilst we're not able to share everything that members achieve each month, heres a couple of new items from Scotland worth checking out this month. A great new patient video animation showing how Flo works and the type of conditions being supported by good old Flo in Lothian ! And... 'Mission Slimpossible' and ‘Walk 500 Miles Step Count Challenge’ from NHS Western Isles, describing how clinicians are using Flo to help their patients to lose weight and keep fit with innovative programmes. |
RCGP Technology Enabled Care eLearning course stars Flo
Assistant to the Director of Services and Community SSHC
15 June 2017
RCGP "Telehealth, Telemedicine and Telecare: an Introduction to 'TECS'"
This is where Technology Enabled Care Services (TECS), such as Flo come in using accessible and convenient methods in motivating patients to increase their engagement in their own self-care by providing that extra support that really gives patients the confidence to engage in the self-management of their health. Indeed, Flo’s efficacy hinges on the fact that she utilises one of the most accessible and familiar forms of modern technology: text messaging.
How to access the RCGP eLearning Course
To access the eLearning course, you can either use your existing RCGP login details, or if you are not registered you can sign up for a free account. Sign up open to all, so non-clinical members of staff are also able to improve their knowledge and understanding of TECS.
How is the course structured?
The course begins by taking you through a pre-course assessment with 8 multiple choice questions, providing a baseline for what you may, or may not already know about TECS. Having completed this, you will then work your way through 3 learning sessions:
- Telehealth, telemedicine and telecare: an introduction to "TECS"
- Technology enabled care in practice: ideas and examples
- Technology enabled care in practice: developing and evaluating
Each of these sections is made up of interactive slides that along the way will ask you to consider your existing knowledge of TECS as well as what you have learned during the session. For example, the first session, Telehealth, telemedicine and telecare: an introduction to "TECS" asks you to write about any example telehealth you may have already come across already, a prime example being Flo. Having done so you are able to submit your answer, and additional information specific to the question is provided. These tasks are present in all three learning sessions, and are useful to both consolidate knowledge and prompt more consideration of the application of TECS. Additionally, at the end of the learning session, there is the option to download any answers you may have submitted so that you can review them at a later date.
Having completed the learning sessions, there is a post-course assessment and once complete you will be able to download a certificate stating that you have completed the online course.
The course itself is very informative; it provides a great overview for any who are new to the idea of TECS, or can act as a useful refresher for those who already have some knowledge of the subject. The learning sessions also feature a number of short videos about the application of TECS; how they are implemented, how they work and the experiences that patients have of using them, the focus of many of the videos being Flo’s application.
The length of this course is suggested to be around 90 minutes; while this may be accurate for those with prior knowledge of TECS, perhaps slightly more time may be needed by those unfamiliar with them to really get the most from the course.
This RCGP eLearning course showcases the implementation of the NHS's Flo as the subject example, something that we here at Simple Shared Healthcare are proud of. The eLearning course also features an excerpt from the Health Foundation’s award winning short film about the impact that Flo has on patient’s lives, “The Power of People”. You can watch the full film here.
This recognition by the RCGP by using Flo as the exemplar example of TECS delivery in their pioneering eLearning package is another milestone for Flo distinguishing the scale at which Flo is used and the impacts delivered across the United Kingdom.
Annie scoops 2017 FedHealthIT Innovation Award in DC
We're delighted to share that after competing with the best US innovations from the Veterans Affairs, Military Health, Health and Human Services, and Centres for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Annie, Flo's US #FloMania cousin has been recognised by FedHealthIT as one of the "top 25 Federal Health programmes". This ground breaking work by the US Veterans Health Administration was nominated by, and chosen as a top programme by their peers. The top 25 awardees "stood out from the rest based on their willingness to take on achievable risk, and more importantly, to deliver real results in support of their mission." Congratulations to @neilcevans and all our colleagues at the VHA! |
Digital Sustainability at Spring 17 International Conferences
07 June 2017
Regularly shared at regional and national events; Members’ independent, ‘sustainability’ and clinical case studies describing application of the NHS's unique Simple Telehealth methodology and Florence to achieve significant and measurable results, often attracts recognition from respected international healthcare institutions.
This spring, two of our Leading* Member organisations who’d already taken to the stage at international events in Orlando and New Zealand sharing their experience with Simple Telehealth and Flo, were again sharing their knowhow and experiences at the BMJ & IHI’s ‘International Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare’ in London and the World Congress on Integrated Care’s ‘International Conference on Integrated Care’ in Dublin.
With lively interest in both talks, organisers arranged substantial auditoriums to accommodate registered interest from delegates.
International Conference on Integrated Care
We were honoured that the outcomes from NHS Western Isle’s redesigned hypertension pathway were selected as an oral presentation at The International Foundation of Integrated Care (IFIC) in partnership with the Health Service Executive (HSE) 17th International conference on Integrated Care “Building a platform for integrated care: delivering change that matters to people” in Dublin, Ireland 8 to 10 May 2017 in association with 5th World Congress on Integrated Care (WCIC5).
The conference brought together researchers, clinicians and managers from around the world who are engaged in the design and delivery of integrated health and social care, sharing their experience and latest evidence.
Led by Iain Trayner, TECS Project Manager the abstract ‘NHS Western Isles - Involving our Patients: Faster Access to Treatment for Hypertension in Primary Care’ describes the case for change and subsequent wide-ranging impact delivered by integrating Flo into the pathway for patients with suspected hypertension identified in primary care. Iain’s presentation stimulated healthy discussion amongst the audience with overall recognition of the impact that self-management supported by Flo had been made and of the potential for the delivery of scalable benefits. NHS Western Isle’s new pathway is now complete in 7 days from identification of raised blood pressure to treatment initiation and maximises opportunities for home monitoring to improve both patient safety and engagement; patient and clinician experience has been overwhelmingly positive. The outcomes demonstrated included:
Patient:
- A safe, supported alternative to ABPM providing patient choice in treatment planning
- Faster diagnosis or exclusion of hypertension reduced patient uncertainty
- Confidence and ability to self-manage improved
- Engagement in condition and/or symptoms improved
- Improved patient acceptance of new or increased medication
- Reduction in patient travel
Clinician:
- Improved patient safety during diagnostic process
- Immediate initiation, faster access to diagnostic data to initiate treatment
- Real time access data to expedite and evidence treatment decisions.
- AF screening increased via monitors provided by the practice
- Supports development of a nurse-led service
System:
- Reduced handoffs improved patient flow
- Reduction in patient contacts
- More cost effective pathway
- Reduction in administrative processes improves productivity
- Opportunity to support the delivery of person centered care when treatment planning
NHS Western Isles are now collaborating with Scottish Centre for Telehealth and Telecare and NHS24 on a national pathway based on this methodology, which has, been adopted as part of a national evaluation model. The abstract will soon be published in the International Foundation of Integrated Care Journal.
Presentation slides from the conference are available to download here or download Iain’s presentation only
For more information please contact Iain.Trayner@nhs.net
International Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare
Originating out of a submission from Sian Clarke of Nottinghamshire’s Assistive Technology Team, the talk tackled the elusive topic of sustainability in a presentation titled “Whole system approach: A cost effective way to allow patients to self-manage”.
The talk discussed the journey of Nottinghamshire from the all too familiar low point of “historical failure of initiatives to deliver the digital utopia portrayed by some suppliers” through to their wide ranging, evaluated and evidence based implementation of Florence and subsequent inclusion in Nottinghamshire's STP.
The Scotsman - NHS Lanarkshire reach CBT milestone with Flo
We are proud to share that NHS Lanarkshire have been featured in an article by ‘The Scotsman’ Scotland’s national newspaper, for their continuous success using Florence. The article highlights how NHS Lanarkshire have supported and helped a milestone 1,000 patients who suffer with depression and anxiety, by enhancing their Cognitive Behavioural Therapy programme ‘Beating the Blues’ with Flo. The animation ‘Fraser’ is also featured due to its help towards growing and spreading awareness of how Telehealth is allowing patients to be more confident and independent in their own healthcare. Read the full article; Lanarkshire patients supported by ‘Florence Nightingale’ #Lanarkshire #CBT #eCBT #Scotland |
Sharing Success - NHS's Simple Telehealth National Conference 2017
The "Making Change Happen with Simple Telehealth and Florence" conference was held on 25th January 2017 at the North Stafford Hotel, Stoke-on-Trent and saw a day of collaboration and enthusiastic sharing of real world applications of the unique Simple Telehealth methodology. The 100+ delegates from England, Scotland, Wales and Australia enjoyed a packed schedule of independent evidence backed case studies and evaluation delivered by 32 speakers in three streams, on topics ranging across Primary, Community and Secondary Care, Mental Health and Education. "The conference was an overwhelmingly positive success!" Plenary speakers included;
In a non-commercial environment, the conference was designed to facilitate transparent peer to peer sharing of real world experiences of the NHS's Simple Telehealth methodology, the atmosphere was energised with delegates taking in new ideas and ways of working and networking with others in similar clinical interest areas. "I came back buzzing with new ideas, it was a great conference in Stoke" Full details of all of the conference content, slides and posters can be found in the members section by clicking here. (shared materials are not for commercial use) |
Diabetes - Journal of Nursing and Healthcare research article; Enhancing Adherence to Treatments
 We are excited to announce the publication of “Use of an Innovative Technology Enabled Care Service (Tecs) “Florence” to Empower Patients and Enhance Adherence to Treatments in Diabetes” in the Journal of Nursing and Healthcare, written by Parijat De, Susan Irwin, Jagjit Kaur and our own Karen Moore. This research article encapsulates how Flo is helping Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals in relation to blood pressure readings and medication in diabetic patients. The main objectives were to improve adherence of patients through regular encouragement and text reminders, thus engaging patients in their own health care, improving clinical productivity and demonstrating the cost effectiveness of using Tecs. #Diabetes, Acute, Secondary Care |
Flo exemplars included in Scottish Government's TEC National Action Plan
 The report highlights programmes of work led by Morag Hearty and Edinburgh University, focussing on hypertension and 'MasterMind' (computerised CBT), both of which show significant clinical results with Flo. (See Scottish Network Event and new film launched) "
"  #hypertension #CBT #cCBT #Scotland |
Simple.uk.net - Evidence published by Lords Select Committee
 We're delighted at Simple Shared Healthcare to announce that our evidence to the House of Lords Select Committee on the Long Term Sustainability of the NHS has been published on www.parliament.uk. The submitted evidence overwhelmingly reflects the views of our Community of Practice members. View the evidence on the Select Committee website here or continue reading below. " Simple Shared Healthcare Limited – Written evidence (NHS0104) I write on behalf of Simple Shared Healthcare Limited, a not-for-profit social enterprise, limited by guarantee and committed to improving the quality of self-care.
23 September 2016 "  |
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