New tech helping Royal Stoke cut stays by more than a day

Almost 2,000 benefited in first 3 months

- Sentinel Reporter

A NEW digital tool has helped to cut the stays of Royal Stoke patients re-admitted to hospital by over a day.

The High Risk of Delayed Transfer of Care (HRD) tool, which has been on trial at the hospital since December, uses GP and hospital health records to flag those who are likely to be stuck in hospital longer than needed.

This includes those with additional care needs or living alone, enabling staff to better plan timely and appropriate care.

Almost 2,000 patients at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) were flagged by the tool in the first three months, helping to ease pressure and free up beds in areas including the emergency department (ED) and older adults wards.

It runs on an opt-out basis, meaning teams using the tool will be able to access health and care records unless they are asked not to by the patient.