New Survey Shows Over Half Of Nurses Unsure Whether NHS Can Deliver An Electronic Patient Record, UK

Main Category: Nursing / Midwifery
Also Included In: IT / Internet / E-mail
Article Date: 29 Jul 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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Over half of nurses do not believe or do not know whether the NHS can deliver an electronic patient record in the foreseeable future, according to a new survey released by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).

The RCN survey found two-thirds of nurses (66%) welcome the introduction of an electronic patient record, although there continues to be a high degree of uncertainty about the impact the record will have on patient care, safety and confidentiality.

Only half the nurses surveyed believe electronic records will improve patient safety, while 30% feel the security of the system will not be any better than the paper records currently used in healthcare.

The 2007 survey, the fourth year running the RCN has polled nurses on IT, shows two thirds of nurses have not been consulted about the introduction of the new record or the information that will be entered on it. This figure is unchanged from a similar survey carried out in 2004, which found 63% had not been involved in the new system's design or development.

Speaking today, RCN General Secretary Dr Peter Carter said:

"This survey shows that progress on IT has been made in some areas and it is positive to see that, despite some adverse coverage in the media, nurses on the whole remain supportive of the concept of an electronic record.

"However, on the important issues of consultation and engagement, nurses are saying little has changed in the past four years and that is disappointing considering where we are with the programme.

"The health service has a challenging time ahead if it wants nurses to be ready for the new software, which will have a positive impact on professional practice and the contact nurses have with patients.

"If electronic patient records are to be introduced in the right way with staff fully engaged and involved, the health service has to get to grips with this problem before it is too late."

The RCN survey of 2,600 nurses also found almost two-thirds of nursing staff had not received any IT training within the last six months and nearly half (45%) have to share a computer at work with more than five people. Worryingly, 16% of nurses say they are forced to share a computer with more than 20 people.

Dr Peter Carter continues:

"This survey shows IT training programmes for health service staff and the number of computers available for them to use will have to be expanded on a significant scale in the next two to three years if electronic records are going to support and not hinder clinical care.

"We know from anecdotal evidence that some nurses are uncomfortable and perhaps even reluctant to use computers. This problem is perpetuated by there not being enough machines in clinical settings and not enough staff on the wards and in the community to provide cover for those who need to be released for support and training.

"We cannot have a situation where nursing staff are waiting in line with 20 or more people for time on a computer to carry out essential documentation. Equally, we cannot have a system that is dependent on so few computers to facilitate care."

Around 2,600 members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) were surveyed over a four-week period between Friday 25 May and Friday 22 June 2007. The survey was a self-selecting poll and was carried out online by MEDIX Intelligent Information on behalf of the RCN.The full results of the survey can be downloaded from http://www.rcn.org.uk/publications

Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.

Royal College of Nursing

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