As NHS renewal and transformation continues, with methods of making processes more efficient and cost-effective being closely examined, innovative tech can free up staff to concentrate on more value adding tasks.
We are already seeing automation benefits coming through - particularly with artificial intelligence (AI) simulating human cognitive processes and decision making in vital areas such as breast screening - and it looks like there is much more to come in supplementing human expertise.
Indeed, other forms of software-based process automation are increasingly showing just as much promise in emulating human execution while improving both staff and patient experiences.
Robotic Process Automation (RPA) performs computer-based manual, repetitive tasks in much the same way as a person would but ensures the greatest possible efficiency - from triage and consultation to appointment management, prescription processing, and referral.
Intelligent Automation (IA) is facilitating the integration of robotic and intelligent systems from various emerging technologies, in turn extending automation beyond more simple tasks.
The ability to communicate with other digital systems is key to the future of process automation. It also means further data capture as we look towards widening the scope of capabilities.
Those possibilities are exciting for patient and staff alike - particularly when it comes to cutting down on overlap of virtual, telephone, or in-person appointments. Process automation in these circumstances can mean automatic generation of letters, follow ups, or notifying staff of the need to take action.
No wonder then that NHS Scotland is actively investing in it. Only recently, it was announced that Infix Support’s clinician-led, cloud-based software had won an NHS Scotland contract to optimise operating theatre efficiency.
The development of a more intuitive system for operating theatre optimisation is considered to be a game changer, and Infix: Schedule will now be rolled out across NHS Scotland.
It is a timely step with NHS staff continuing to face challenges in reducing surgical operating lists and significantly increasing efficiency. Infix: Schedule aims to improve the health of patients who can be operated on sooner, while reducing the morbidity and mortality of those waiting for their surgical treatment.
Infix, founded by consultant anaesthetist Dr Matthew Freer in 2019, successfully piloted its Schedule software across three NHS health boards, enabling operating room efficiency to be improved by up to a quarter and the completion of thousands of additional operations.
The ethos is straightforward: recognising that new technology must integrate within the legacy systems in place across all health boards and change ingrained behaviours.
The automation touchstones are all there – increasing productivity, removing paper processes, and reducing administrative burden – with Infix applying them in this case to the creation and approval of theatre lists, leading to standardised scheduling workflows, simplified processes, and reduced downtime for existing facilities.
Successful automation in other areas is not a given, however; it requires decision makers to see value, users to buy into its benefits, and then trained properly to use it.
Change will happen incrementally, but it seems certain that the impact of process automation will be widely, enduringly felt.
Paula Sweeten is Project Manager at InnoScot Health
Agenda is a column for outside contributors. Contact: agenda@theherald.co.uk
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