The Rotherham NHS (National Health Service) Foundation Trust in the UK is rolling out new healthcare data and storage management solutions, developed by Woburn, Mass-based BridgeHead Software, to improve operational efficiency, cost savings and patient care.
The decision to implement new technology solutions has been part of a drive by the trust toward consolidating its storage infrastructure and developing new ways of working through the use of innovative technology. NHS officials expect the deployment to help the trust create an environment that optimises the storage, management and protection of Rotherham’s clinical and administrative data.
A contract between the trust and BridgeHead Software was established in October 2009 as support for the implementation of the trust’s new electronic patient record system using MEDITECH’s software, the deployment of which was part of Rotherham’s strategic decision to opt for alternative solutions outside the National Programme for IT (NPfIT). NHS officials said looking beyond the national program has enabled the trust to explore other best-of-breed solutions to suit their IT requirements.
The second phase of the project involved the deployment of FileStore EHR that has enabled the trust to fulfill its data recovery obligations as well as ensure records are indexed, de-duplicated and encrypted so they are in keeping with data protection and privacy regulations. Officials said that a part of Rotherham’s vision was to create a paperless hospital environment.
Much of the work to integrate BridgeHead’s HT Backup, FileStore EHRTM and MailStoreTM services has already been undertaken and The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust is aiming to have all work completed by the end of the year.
