Proven innovation
Smart-ER
Smart-ER is a software-based tool designed to improve the performance of urgent and emergency care services in NHS Trusts. It allows patients attending Emergency Departments (ED) or minor injuries units to provide information while waiting to see a clinician.
About
Developed by clinicians at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Smart-ER enables patients to provide health information whilst waiting to see a clinician. This information would normally be logged by clinicians in initial consultations, so already having the data provides more patient discussion time. The system provides a robust record, automatically links to an electronic patient record and assists with meeting the four-hour A&E target.
Smart-ER has had support for a feasibility study in Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s Minor Injuries Unit. The study highlighted usability and acceptance from clinicians and patients and provided evidence for implementation in the Trust’s Emergency Department. The AHSN funded a real-world evaluation of Smart-ER with York Health Economic Consortium using data from the implementation. Smart-ER is also benefitting from support through the AHSN’s Digital Accelerator, Propel@YH.
Real-world evaluation of Smart-ER indicates the system reduces the total cost of contact by a third and the length of time between attendance and discharge, contributing towards meeting the four- hour A&E target. The evaluation has provided Smart-ER with economic evidence needed to assist with spread and adoption.
