Oxford Health goes live with electronic patient record system

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust has deployed the Access Rio electronic patient record (EPR) system, rolling it out across secondary care services in just eight weeks.

The trust took the decision to work with Access based on the successful rollout of Rio at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation, a former Global Digital Exemplar, recognising that it could be implemented efficiently using the same configuration settings, with the added benefit of convergence across the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Berkshire West Integrated Care System (ICS).

Access Rio is a leading EPR for secondary care, designed to operate across mental health, community care, and child health settings.

The new EPR provides 2,500 users at the trust with secure access to up-to-date patient records in one place, which is proven to improve quality of care, clinical safety, and the patient experience.

Help at hand

One of the key advantages of Rio is its ability to manage both administrative and clinical processes, as well as its ability to be tailored to an organisation’s specific needs.

During the implementation, Oxford Health worked closely with Access to implement Rio’s core functionality ahead of future phased deployments.

Access provided support by conducting virtual floor-walking exercises – open day-long meetings on Microsoft Teams – that allowed system users to drop in to get help with any problems they may have been experiencing.

Access is now supporting Oxford Health’s implementation team to migrate historic data, enable the full functionality of Rio EPR, including bespoke assessment forms, and enhance interoperability with other clinical and operational systems used by the trust.

Mark Hancock, the trust’s chief clinical information officer, said: “Now that the Rio system has been launched successfully across our mental health services, we are focusing on the optimisation phase and working on the delivery of a programme of work that will enhance existing Rio functionality, including rollout of additional system modules, development of assessment forms, dashboards, and interfaces with various internal and external clinical systems.”

Access Rio provides patients with the tools to access their medical information directly, empowering them to self manage their health and care.

Improving efficiency

Another key benefit of the new EPR is its ability to reduce costs and improve efficiencies, supporting the trust in its recovery from the COVID–19 pandemic.

Steve Wightman, commercial director at Access HSC, said: “We take pride in our partnership with Oxford Health, and the seamless implementation of Rio.

“With Access Rio, staff can provide a better, safer, patient-centred service, and individuals can expect consistent and effective care, improved outcomes, and a comprehensive view of their health.

“As we continue to work with the trust, and adapt Rio to meet its specific needs, the benefits will be even greater, and we are looking forward to helping the trust make cost and efficiency savings, while facilitating safer, patient-centred care.”