Quality improvement patient safety project
Ensuring safe, effective communication across different disciplines and levels of staff using the clinical systems and improving communication flow between system partners
In 2021, a project began to improve communication across all partner organisations within the Joined Up Care Derbyshire (JUCD) system following the reporting of a number of "near miss" patient safety incidents.
The working group looked at ways to ensure safe, effective communication across different disciplines and levels of staff mainly using the SystmOne (S1) clinical system task allocations, EMIS communications and to improve communication flow between system partners.
The group included representatives from the Local Medical Committee, Primary Care Networks, Integrated Care Board, North of England Commissioning Support Unit and Derbyshire Community Health Services.
The result is a comprehensive standard operating procedure (SOP) setting out clearly for all system providers communicating with General Practices to follow these principles for safe communication between all clinicians in the ICB.
- If it’s URGENT* - Please RING the practice.
- If it’s ROUTINE*
- For communication with S1 practices- please use the universally named task group “External Task to GP Practice” for all task communications
- For communication with EMIS practices- please use the Generic Admin Email Box for that practice
All involved to use the *Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation, Contact details (SBARC) structure to format their communications. This ensures key information is clearly and easily identifiable by clinicians.
The SOP is being adopted across the JUCD system, demonstrating how integration and collaboration can improve communication between system partners and, ultimately, support the best possible outcomes for patients. To obtain the latest version, simply visit Joined Up Care Derbyshire using the search box please type in “Task Allocation”.