Rural Local Health Districts in NSW have launched a fluid and infusion management solution developed by eHealth NSW.
Implementation covers intravenous/subcutaneous fluid therapy, electrolyte maintenance/replacement therapy, and NSW adult/child fluids All infusions ordered on the order sheet. The rollout package also includes Pediatric PowerPlans, automation of fluid balance calculations, and reporting capabilities for monitoring performance and management.
It has been introduced in all rural LHDs in the state, including residential aged care facilities and multipurpose service locations, and plans It will be implemented on the North Central Coast by the end of this year.
Why is it important
According to a media release, the FIM solution was launched to improve patient safety while providing clinicians and nurses with additional Prescribing and management support. It eliminates the need for paper infusion charts, allowing clinicians to prescribe, administer, and administer fluids and infusion orders or continuous infusions, along with a patient’s routine medications, in the EMR.
Larger context
FIM is part of a statewide rollout of EMR-related digital health programs for inpatient and emergency services. Last year, eHealth NSW also piloted an EMR solution called PowerForm, which captures patient information and collects clinical assessment, intervention and outcome data to support a screening programme to identify patients with chronic Breast cancer patients at risk of lymphedema.
To improve clinician satisfaction with EMR, the NSW Centre for eHealth and KLAS Research conducted a Users of the Welsh Department of Health were surveyed to explore their current EHR experience. The main findings of the survey indicate that users want more training on EMR and are more involved in the development of EMR solutions and policy changes.
record on file
“As one of a group of doctors treating patients in remote rural areas, I used to The right form of the fluid needed has to be found for the patient and then faxed to the field. It’s a longer process. With the [FIM] solution, it’s faster, easier, and clearer,” shared Dr. Vimbai Kapuya of Yass Road Hospital.
She also added that the FIM solution is “safer” for patients. “Before FIM, we used paper charts. Now it’s digital, fluids are countersigned more efficiently, and the fluids ordered are very clear. With paper charts, when bad handwriting means doctors and nurses can’t understand There will be errors in what is ordered. For younger patients, I find that FIM provides an extra layer of safety.”
