Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has completed the digitisation of general adult patient records across Bedford Hospital and Luton & Dunstable Hospital in partnership with Xerox.
The completion of historical scanning delivers significant financial and operational benefits. From October, the move to day-forward scanning is expected to contribute approximately £2 million in annual savings. The savings reflect a range of efficiencies, including the elimination of approximately £30,000 a month in off-site storage costs and the release of valuable estate space.
Across both hospitals, Xerox has digitised more than 750,000 patient records. The milestone also recognises the contribution of the clinical, operational, IT, records management and scanning teams who supported the programme over many years.
General adult patient records across both sites are now accessible electronically rather than as physical files. Multiple authorised users can now view the same record simultaneously, eliminating delays associated with locating, transporting and retrieving paper notes.
“This is a significant milestone for the Trust,” said Josh Chandler, chief digital information officer at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. He continues:
“We have moved from medical records libraries filled with paper to giving our teams immediate electronic access to patient information. Clinicians no longer need to chase paper notes, and multiple staff can access the same record at the same time. For those of us involved from the beginning, it’s particularly rewarding to have seen this transformation from start to finish. It’s a major achievement for everyone who has played a part.”
Xerox will continue to support the Trust through day-forward scanning, digitising new documentation as it enters the organisation.
