DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT IN THE NHS
become a persistent pain point for staff. Data siloes continue to impact patient care: a recent survey indicated that one in four patients in the UK found errors in their medical records. When healthcare professionals are working across dispersed systems and different mediums, it’s easy to make errors. This is where a robust document management platform can make a real difference. Through these platforms, health organisations can centralise access to patient records and administrative documents. Instead of digging through outdated paper files for misplaced patient forms, staff can view everything, from medical histories and test results to consent forms and care plans, in one place. Document management platforms also make it easy to track all versions of a file, view changes and compare versions if needed. This is a gamechanger for clinicians who want to view any amends
to a form or understand treatment plans with greater accuracy and attention to detail. These systems can also support healthcare staff to comply with complex regulatory requirements such as GDPR, thanks to automated retention policies that manage documentation throughout its lifecycle. Outdated filing systems: an appealing opportunity for cyber attackers The NHS has another compelling reason to take document management systems seriously: cybersecurity. Public institutions are among the most frequently targeted organisations in the world. Healthcare is particularly vulnerable given the sensitivity of the data held; and its disparate systems are an appealing target for threat actors seeking low barriers for entry. Document management systems can reduce the likelihood of data being compromised via secure storage,
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A recent survey from BMJ across 182 trusts found that seven trusts were only using paper notes, while 71% used paper notes alongside electronic patient records.
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