Health Care services are unique in the diversity and number of information needs associated with data mapped to individuals.
The entries in a clinical record might be created by care providers, pan-unit provision for booking, medical imaging and laboratory services, or by direct input from medical devices. To capture this multiplicity of sources, PCPAL designers analyse the patient journey, data entry roles and information needs of those involved, including the patient, so that care benefits and working practice efficiency gains are optimised. When specific care pathways exist, these are made an integral part of the application so that each user has their own “view” of the system defined by the input and output screens necessary to their role.
A formal study of a PCPAL system designed in this way (Eye (2006) 20, 80-83), demonstrated a reduction of 68% (3 minutes 40 seconds) in clinician data retrieval time per record, and an increased accuracy compared to traditional paper notes (98% vs. 84%). In this setting, that equates to a 20% increase in patient throughput per clinic.
When broader scope is desired demanding ultimate flexibility, an alternative approach enables users to create data entry templates incorporating any recording field in the system, and both department wide and individualised libraries of charts, reports and auto-filled letters.