Cambridge uses Epic to advance interoperability in UK healthcare
As patients move between hospitals in the UK, their medical information can now go with them. Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has connected its Epic system with West Suffolk Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to form the first link in the UK between two different electronic health record systems.
“This UK first in connecting two hospital EPR systems is an exciting development for both trusts and will bring huge benefits to the many patients who attend both hospitals,” said Dr. Afzal Chaudhry, renal consultant and chief clinical information officer at CUH. “Having access to key clinical information held within the systems in real time will help clinicians to provide safer, more effective, and quicker care which can improve patient outcomes.”
When clinicians at CUH see patients who had visits with providers at West Suffolk Hospital, they can now use Care Everywhere functionality within their Epic system to view medications, allergies, and other medical information from those encounters—even though it was documented in a different system. With the click of a button, this two-way exchange saves time and reduces duplicative care.
“Cambridge continues to be a digital health trailblazer in the UK through their use of Epic,” said Brandon Reynolds, the Epic account executive for Cambridge. “We are so proud of everything they’ve accomplished, and we are excited about our continued collaboration with them to improve patient care in their community.”
