21 November 2018

Blood test results from patients at Royal Papworth Hospital can now be sent electronically from the laboratory at Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) back to Royal Papworth, thanks to a new link between the different electronic patient record systems used at the two Trusts. 

The complex link between the two systems means that clinicians will receive results from blood tests much more quickly than if they had to wait for them to arrive by post. It is hoped that the electronic link will also lead to a reduction in transcribing errors, as clinicians will no longer have to enter test results manually into Lorenzo, the electronic patient record system used at Royal Papworth Hospital. 

The interface marks the first ever connection between Lorenzo and the Epic electronic patient record system used at CUH. Eventually it is hoped that further connections will be developed to allow other types of clinical information to be shared, benefitting the many patients who receive treatment at both hospitals. 

Andrew Raynes, Director of Digital and Chief Information Officer at Royal Papworth Hospital, thanked the teams at both Royal Papworth Hospital and Cambridge University Hospitals who have worked hard to make this latest development possible. 

He said: “Many staff members at Royal Papworth and CUH have worked incredibly hard to deliver this complex project, which will bring huge benefits for patients and clinicians. With more and more patients needing treatment at both hospitals, it is vital that we have the digital technology in place to share timely and accurate clinical information between clinicians at both Royal Papworth Hospital and CUH.” 

It is now more than a year since Royal Papworth Hospital launched its Lorenzo electronic patient record system, which is provided by DXC Technology, in June 2017. Cambridge University Hospitals has been using the Epic system since October 2014. 

Speaking about this achievement Dr Afzal Chaudhry, Renal Consultant and Chief Clinical Information Officer at CUH, added: “Being able to share results in a digital way will support our clinical colleagues in providing more effective and quicker care for our shared patients, which can improve patient outcomes. This is a natural extension of our hospitals’ partnership and another key achievement in providing joined-up healthcare between a patient’s care settings using digital technology.” 

In April 2019, Royal Papworth Hospital will move to a brand new hospital on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. A link corridor will connect Royal Papworth Hospital to Cambridge University Hospitals, allowing patients to be transferred between the two hospitals for treatment.