Business Communication - Coursework Example

According to the NHS Constitution, “The NHS belongs to the people. It is there to improve our health and wellbeing, supporting us to keep mentally and physically well, to get better when we are ill, and when we cannot fully recover, to stay as well as we can to the end of our lives.” (NHS) Task 1 – (P1) Various organizations use information in various ways, for example, a healthcare based organization such as NHS mainly records the patient’s diagnostic reports of the past for future references. (NHS). Big organizations use information management Systems also known as MIS, which helps the organization pursue its day to day activities based on the requirement and use of the information gathered. (Mays Business School). The primary source for NHS for collecting information is hospitals and other health care providers, where they keep records of patient’s history. (NHS). (P2) Primarily, the NHS maintains health records and diagnostic information of patient history which may be reviewed by healthcare professionals treating a patient. Such information stored by the NHS includes history of Treatment received by a patient, including allergies and medications and adverse reactions to particular medications. (NHS). Record of any chronic ailments and results of various tests conducted in relation to the patients’ treatment or identification of ailments. (NHS). The record also carries the patients’ personal information such as sex name and address. (NHS). The Secondary function of maintaining such records for patients is to improve the overall healthcare services in the country, especially when it comes to the treatment of chronic or life threatening diseases such as Diabetes or Cancer. NHS keeps track of these records and evaluates the performance of a certain hospital or a “Specialist Unit” (NHS) is performing, it also helps in the tracking of epidemics and provide special vaccinations for the same. Moreover, it also evaluates how some treatments can prove to be more effective than other treatments in curing particular ailments. Such records are generally kept private. Researchers are only given “Clinical Data” (NHS) and not divulged any personal information about the patient. This is done to keep the identity of the patient confidential, according to the prevalent laws (to be discussed later). (NHS). M1 Generally, patient records are maintained in all hospitals/clinics or any other health care service place where patients’ are being treated. Such information may be readily available to the patient’s from these hospitals, however, they are only available “by letter, email, fax or phone” (NHS). Hence, NHS maintains a Summary Care Record which is stored in electronic form at a central location and is immediately available for a patient in case of an emergency. (NHS). NHS gives an example as follows: “A person who lives in London is on holiday in Brighton. One evening, theyre knocked unconscious in a car accident and taken to an accident and emergency (A&E) department. Under the current system of storing health records, it would be difficult for A&E staff to find out whether there are any important factors to consider when treating the person (such as any serious allergies to medications), especially as their GP surgery is likely to be closed. If healthcare staff cannot get the relevant health information quickly, some patients may be at risk.” (NHS) A Summary Care report however does not contain all the detailed records of the patient. It only stores the important health related information such as record of prescribed medicines, allergies and adverse reaction to any particular medicine. (NHS). These records are only available to the patient’s or the health care professionals attending the patient. Even to the health care professionals, these records are available after proper security measures have been cleared (Smartcard and access number) (NHS). They will need the patient’s approval every time they access these records. (NHS). (D1) The Government wants to make sure that healthcare services are the best in the world. For this, NHS has adopted a Shared Decision Making Approach. (NHS England) This would mean that patients are consulted along with health care professionals before any major decisions are implemented. (NHS England) Currently, patients are briefed regarding the available clinical data on their ailment/treatment and a medical plan is envisaged that is coherent with their requirements. (NHS England). The NHS ensures that proper communication exists between the patients and the doctors treating them, and all major decisions are validated by the patient. NHS has a dedicated online platform to help in such a Shared Decision Making. (Wexler). Lessening and where conceivable, wiping out blunders in the matching of patients with their consideration is fundamental to enhancing patient health in the NHS. Three primary sorts of slip can happen: (NHS England). a) A patient is given the wrong medication as an after effect of a disappointment to match them rightly with sample specimens or x-rays. (NHS England). b) A patient is given the wrong medication as an after effect of a miscommunication between staff or staff not performing checking systems effectively; and (NHS England). c) A patient is given medication expected for an alternate patient as a consequence of confusion to recognize him or her effectively. (NHS England). Illustrations of such lapses include: • Mrs Johns blood, tissue sample is befuddled with Mrs Jones prompting one or, potentially, both getting the wrong treatment and/or wrong medicine; • a patient is inaccurately worked on – for instance the wrong appendage is cut away or the wrong kidney is operated on – due to a miscommunication amongst the staff and checking systems; (NHS England) • Mr U Patel is administered the medications expected for Mr V Patel. (NHS England) Such slips can have an extent of outcomes. (NHS England). Numerous bring about almost no damage yet can by and by be troubling for patients and unfavourably influence the certainty of patients and staff. Some result in enduring however moderately minor outcomes for the patient. Some, on the other hand, bring about genuine, for example, chronic pain, undiagnosed cancers, visual impairment and even death. (NHS England). There are no accurate statistics on the recurrence or expense of such befuddling slips. They structure a critical some piece of the entire extent of lapses in health awareness. It has been ascertained that: • In the UK something like 10 per cent of inpatient scenes bring about slips or something to that affect, of which fifty percent could have been easily prevented. (NHS England). • Of eight million patients that are admitted to hospitals in England every year, about 850,000 result in some mistakes to the patients, which cost the NHS about £2 billion in additional hospital days. (NHS England). The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) believes, on the premise of the work reported beneath and other proof, that there is impressive degree in the NHS for enhancing patient security both through the advancement of other safeguard routines for non digital identification proof and checking – that is checking which does not involve the utilization of electronic advances – and through applying innovations, for example, bar codes, and biometrics. (NHS England) There will, obviously, be expenses connected with the presentation of new routines, particularly innovative ones. Even though implementation of new technology may be expensive, it is expected that it will be covered by • Savings made in exorbitant prosecution coming about because of blunders in patient consideration; (NHS England). • Savings made by decreasing additional bed days coming about because of errors (as discussed) (NHS England). The new framework being presented by the National Program for IT (NpfIT), will help this new technology to avoid miscommunications between staff and offer conceivable outcomes for further integrating systems and enhancement in the efficiency of health care professionals. (NHS England). The NPSA is advertising the advancement and execution of cutting edge frameworks and supplies in the NHS for: • Faultlessly and dependably recognizing patients; (NHS England). • Faultlessly and dependably matching all components of treatments, including specimens and samples, medications and surgery, to patients. (NHS England). Task 2 – (P3) NHS has introduced a program called “Change 4 Life”. This program promotes a healthier lifestyle for all citizens in the country and especially children. This program is carried out through a dedicated website of the NHS available at http://www.nhs.uk/change4life/Pages/what-is-change-for-life.aspx There are many videos and other promotional ways that NHS encourages us to lead a healthier lifestyle, for example eating well (concentrating on fruits etc) and quitting smoking. There is a dedicated application for IPhone and Android users as well whereby they can interact closely with this program and make beneficial changes to their day to day activities like exercising regularly and hence cutting down on body fat. (NHS) (P4) The 2012 Act has created numerous challenges when it comes to using the data available by NHS, especially for commissioners. (Information Governance Taskforce)It sets forth guidelines for development of new data systems. (Information Governance Taskforce) The Health and Social care Information Centre (HSCIC) has been specially designed to collect ‘personal confidential data (PCD)’ and act as an “honest broker” to aid NHS and other such organizations. (Information Governance Taskforce)However, it remains a relatively new organization, and shall need time to operate at the required levels. The role of the HSCIC is not only to “provision of national standard data sets, but also to provide operational level data with all the complexities and the need for local flexibility and responsiveness that is part and parcel of delivering for localised services.” (Information Governance Taskforce) It is however expected that with time, it shall be able to properly develop the required capacity to fully function and meet the required standards, even though presently, it is incapable of doing so. (Information Governance Taskforce). The main focus of HSCIC currently is whether to concentrate on “national collections of standardised data sets and not seek to try and also support local operational data requirements.” (Information Governance Taskforce). Task 3- (P5) Patient records are strictly governed by two very important Laws which are Data Protection Act (1998) and Human Rights Act (1998). (NHS)These laws apply directly so that these records are kept strictly confidential and they may be accessed only by the health care professionals treating a patient, that too with prior consent of the patient. No record can be made public. As per the Data Protection Act (1998), the NHS and other organizations ensure that any personal information collected while maintaining or updating these records is used solely for the purpose to gather information; which would ensure quality service being provided to the patient and that such information is kept strictly private and confidential. Any breach of the Data Protection Act (1998) is considered a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment. (NHS). Similarly, The Human Rights Act (1998) also calls for having every individual’s privacy to be respected, which includes the right of the patients to keep their health records secure. (NHS). In addition to the above mentioned legislations, the data collected and recorded by the NHS is also subject to other laws and regulations such as: Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Cross) Human Rights Act 1998 (Cross) Access to Health Records Act 1990 (where not superseded by the Data Protection Act 1998) (Cross) Computer Misuse Act 1990 (Cross) National Health Service Act 1977 (Cross) Related to the above requirements, the NHS has set a few regulations that fall under “Information Governance” (Cross)and are directly applicable. These regulations are: ISO (BS)7799 – British Standard for Information Security Management, mandated for the NHS in 2001 (Cross) PRIMIS Data Quality (Cross) These relate to a number of wider NHS regulation elements, namely: Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST) – via NHS Litigation Authority (Cross) Also related, but not NHS specific are the ‘Clinical Professionals Regulatory Framework’ (Cross) A management framework within the Trust is established to initiate and control the principles of ‘data quality’. (Cross). This includes delegating proper roles and responsibility for data quality, making sure that activities are properly co-ordinated with the help of tasking or creating the right channels, maintaining proper communications with the specialists involved in support, combining activity and “Information Governance”, (Cross) making sure that information systems are kept up to date and ensuring that all those involved in data entering and monitoring are fully aware of their job responsibilities when it comes to maintaining the records accurately. (Cross) In addition to these, it is also required that a senior manager be appointed within the Trust who will overlook the data quality process. (Cross) (P6) NHS has a strict “Information Governance” Policy, which has laid out stringent and uncompromising policy protocols to maintain the privacy as well as the quality of data. (Cross) This policy covers all the data collected as well as stored which includes all patients, health care professionals, staff etc. The Principles of Data Quality are set forth to ensure that all possible measures will be undertaken to ensure proper accessibility of the data and that the records are maintained up to date. (Cross) Moreover, it ensures that the systems and processes related with recording, storing as well as accessing the records will be developed and maintained to make sure that the quality of data is not compromised and is in compliance of the regulations mandated by NHS. (Cross) Moreover, all legal requirements such as laws and regulations must be complied with and kept in check. (Cross). In addition to maintaining “Data Quality” as part of its operational policies, NHS also ensures proper Training & Support is available to its staff, so that the data quality is not compromised. (Cross). The significance of setting up the Trust’s dedication to data quality would be dealt with in the beginning of employment. (Cross). On employment, all staff members are briefed regarding their obligations in connection to information governance that will incorporate their awareness toward data quality. Staffs who handle primary patient information system must go through formal training, sorted out by the IT trainer. A proper schedule of training dates is distributed and covers all areas which is aimed to ensure proper utilization. (Cross)When needed, extra (refresher) training is also made accessible to staff. Training incorporates the definition and utilization of the information gathered. Post training, staffs are issued with a unique Username & password that is suitable for them to impart their obligations. (Cross). A database is maintained by the Training Manager of staff who has effectively finished training in the proper use of the patient information system. (Cross).The substance of training courses is normally assessed from time to time. Inputs are generally acquired from staff going to the training courses. (Cross). Proper changes are made to the substance of the training course in light of input received. With other clinical or non-clinical systems, the obligation regarding gathering the above requirements is incumbent on the system supervisor or selected individual for that specific clinical/non-clinical system. (Cross). Staff can generally access the documentation inside the working environment that gives direction on the right utilization of IT systems, information definitions and significant rules, laws and regulations that are applicable. A "helpdesk" (Cross). office is accessible to staff who are trained to provide proper guidance in utilizing IT system provisions and offices. Times of accessibility of the "helpdesk" are normally distributed and made accessible. (Cross). (M2) By 2015, everybody in England will have entry to their GP medical records on the web. Numerous other health and social organisations are giving access to records as well, and some individuals are creating their own health records on the web. (NHS) Every health and social organisation that one has in the UK, has to maintain records about the individual concerned. (NHS) In the event that an individual signs up to have access to their records, they will have the capacity to see them utilizing a Computer or any smart device like a mobile phone or a tablet. (NHS). Although having mobile access to the information is always beneficial, it is important to note that some of these records may contain sensitive information about the individual. (NHS)Hence, it is important to properly maintain these records, and extreme caution should be utilized by the patients when accessing these records. (NHS). NHS issues a unique combination of ‘username’ and ‘password’ to each individual and advises them to treat it like they would treat other secure information such as their bank account details. (NHS). (D2) According to the Information Governance Policy Branch report (2011), “Organisations will retain legal responsibility for the information that they hold until they are formally dissolved or until agreements are put in place to transfer responsibility. Organisations must make decisions about their records before they close. It is therefore important that organisations which are closing dedicate sufficient resource to the information management activities associated with the closure. Senior management awareness, involvement and support are essential and should be sought as soon as possible once planning begins. This may already be covered or could be done through an existing senior management/Trust Board transition group (or equivalent). All collections of information and records should have been captured in the organisation’s information asset register – which should be updated if necessary – and all decisions about disposal or transfer should be recorded in this register.” (Information Governance Policy Branch). All through the transition phase in Information Governance (as discussed earlier), associations must guarantee that they comply with Information Governance (IG) standards. Specific consideration must be paid to the handling of identifiable and private information, for example, personnel records, as this information will oblige additional time when filing, destroying or exchanging. (Information Governance Policy Branch). All health records must be passed by the appropriate bodies before an association is broken up. No personal information, especially health records, ought to be left without a proper information controller. The Department of Health’s Information Security Management, Confidentiality and Records Management codes of practice give more insight about overseeing information discreetly as well as maintaining confidentiality. (Information Governance Policy Branch). REFERENCES Cross, Geoff. “Data Quality Policy.” 2013. June 25, 2014 < http://www.ruh.nhs.uk/about/policies/documents/non_clinical_policies/black_infoman/Black_305.pdf> Information Governance Policy Branch. “NHS Information Governance: Effective Management of Records During a period of Transition or Organisational Change.” 2011. Information Governance Taskforce. “Priority Issues in Information Governance.” Consultation Paper CP-01. 2014, February. Mays Business School. What is Management Information Systems? 23 June 2014. 23 June 2014 . NHS. About Health Records. 03 Jan. 2013. 23 June 2014 . NHS England. Shared Decision Making. 2014. 24 June 2014 . Wexler, Clare. Using technology to better manage long-term conditions, HSJ, 2013, Read More