Scan 4 Safety GS1 standards are helping to save thousands of lives and millions of pounds. Global standards have enabled many industries to increase their operational maturity and management, freeing up time to focus on the customer and the organisation’s core mission. In the NHS, the application of global standards has freed up clinicians to focus on patient care and also supports clinicians to provide error-free care, every time.
VIDEO The NHS Scan4Safety Demonstrator Sites. The Scan4Safety programme was piloted by six chosen sites:
Derby Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust: Video, Article, Presentation Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust: Video North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust: Video Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust: PDF Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust: PDF , Video Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust: Video The demonstrator site project has served to prove the power of standards within the NHS acute sector. Over a two year period, these six sites have worked to implement standards, barcodes and a common way of working to improve operational efficiency and increase patient safety.
The journey
The six demonstrator trusts were competitively chosen by the Department of Health and Social Care in 2016 as a group of robust and representative organisations. From origin to completion, the programme has grown in both scope and potential through this two year implementation. Through the use of GS1 compliant labelling and the exchange of product information via the PEPPOL network, these six trusts have been able to release time to patient care, reduce inventory levels, and increase operational efficiencies throughout their organisations. The phased approach to implementation ensures that this significant culture change is managed appropriately in order to maximise benefits.
“We can now proactively manage our products, safeguarding patients whilst making the NHS more efficient”
Benefits
The patient safety, operational and financial benefits realised by the six demonstrator trusts have proved the success of standards in the NHS.
The full programme roll-out across the NHS acute sector has the potential to generate over £1 billion of benefits in seven years.
Time release to patient care – equivalent to 16 band 5 nurses per trusts, that’s 2,400 band 5 nurses across the NHS.A reduction of inventory averaging £1.5 million per trust, £216 million across the NHS.Ongoing operational efficiencies of £2.75 million per trust annually, that’s £424 million across the NHS."Scan4Safety is a world first in healthcare – and a vital part of this government’s drive to make the NHS the safest and most transparent healthcare system in the world"Jeremy Hunt
Source: www.scan4safety.nhs.uk
Source: www.gs1uk.org/our-industries/healthcare/gs1-standards-for-nhs-acute-trusts/scan4safety-programme
