Digital dictation evolution at Alder Hey for offsite clinicians

The integrated digital dictation platform at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust has been extended for use by offsite clinicians.

Staff working in the community can now remotely dial into the MedisecTRUST Digital Dictation system to dictate letters using a landline or mobile phone.

“We have numerous clinicians in the field but, until now, they have had to return to the hospital to dictate letters or to connect their dictation devices before transcriptions could take place,” said Heather Swanston, e-Prescribing Project Manager at the trust.

“The development of this new solution should help deliver greater flexibility and boost productivity.”

The system enables remotely-created voice files to be made immediately available for transcription, with MedisecTRUST Digital Dictation software tagging them with central Patient Administration System (PAS) data. This means patient information is automatically inserted into letter templates.

The resulting letters can be edited online by clinicians before being signed off digitally.

“This has transformed dictation for me,” said Community Paediatrician Dr Janice Greenfield, who works offsite out of a clinic in Southport.

“I am now able to do it long-distance with letters usually ready for sign off within the week. “

Heather added: “This development marks another significant step forward in our strategic drive for efficient workflow management.”