Information summary - technology
All Hospital at Home (H@H) services in Scotland operate in a unique way, while following the key elements laid out in the Guiding Principles document.
For a better understanding of what this means for the different services, we have pulled together the relevant information about technology their services. The data are taken from the information sheets that were provided by the services, originally in October 2022.
The information in this document was accurate at the time of publication but as services evolve, the information will change. This document will be reviewed and updated annually.
What equipment do you use that supports the delivery of acute care in a person's home?
Aberdeen City
- iPads
- Laptops
- Wi-Fi units
- Mobile phones, and
- Currently bidding for more equipment
Dundee City
- Laptop and dongle which has been successful, especially on joint visits
- Bladder scans and ability to catheterise if required, and
- ECG
Glasgow City
- Bladder scanner
- ECG machine
- Mobile printers awaiting delivery to support order comms for printing lab labels
- Near Me capability for escalation and communication with a clinician in patient’s home
- iStat machine (see above) – awaiting these, funding dependent
- Printers for GP10 prescriptions – awaiting these, funding dependent, and
- Working with the telecare team to identify other options
Fife
- Up to staff nurses have iPads. NPs have laptops.
- Video and phone calls are the most effective methods of communication.
- Near Me was used in lock down, however, is less used now.
Forth Valley
We have a portable kit which allows to get all the above results and are waiting on laptops to be able to get access to the results. The team currently communicates with phones. 4G laptops are now available.
Moray
- ECG machine
- Bladder scanner
- Thermometers
- Venepuncture equipment
- Glucometer for blood sugar readings
- Stethoscope
- Blood pressure cuff
- Oxygen finger probe
- Mobile phone, and
- Laptop
Lanarkshire
They weren’t used by the team. We are currently working with IT to see if we can get improved access to clinical applications and re-introduce them.
Perth and Kinross
- Portable ECG device
- Portable bladder scanner
- Vital signs equipment
- Equipment for cannulation
- Catheterisations, and
- Venepuncture
Lothian
- Laptops with remote access
- Smart Phone
- Portable ECG
- Weighing scales
- iSTAT (occasional use)
- Infusion pumps (BBraun) (West Lothian do not have pumps)
- Short term oxygen concentrators
- Nebulisers, and
- General equipment for example commode, walking aid, back rest.
Western Isles
- Mobile Phone: a smart phone which allows image capture and VC as required
- Two iPads have been ordered
- Moving to HEPMA soon.
How did you access funding for technological solutions?
Aberdeen City
- Bids to partnership
- Bids to the Scottish Government, and
- Different work streams (winter money).
Dundee City
- NHS Tayside Board/Dundee HSCP funding
- Funding from the Scottish Government
Glasgow City
Set up costs for service and subsequent case for additional equipment.
Forth Valley
It was part of the original business case. The board is receptive to SBARs while the service is developing. We have included technological solutions in new bid.
Moray
- The ECG machine and bladder scanner are borrowed from the D2A team
- Other equipment is self-funded by individual practitioners and need a PECOS code
Lanarkshire
- PoC: Scottish government funding, ipads funded by NHS Lanarkshire rollout of Morse to Community Nursing Teams
- All other equipment was funded internally during initial setup
Perth and Kinross
Initial budget included funding for equipment.
Lothian
Money made available locally by individual teams and access to Scottish Government funding streams.
Do you find the availability of technology such as Near Me useful, or do you tend to use less formal communication channels?
Aberdeen City
- Consultants tend to use Near Me
- Meeting with lead of Near Me to look at possible use and expansion of this
Dundee City
We have not used Near Me for our service. It may not be suitable for our cohort as they are frail and unwell when assessed. A high percentage of our patients are not able to navigate the technology.
Glasgow City
Telephone calls.
Forth Valley
We don’t really use Near Me at the moment, but would like to improve on this. Currently we just use the phone.
Moray
Less formal at the moment.
Lanarkshire
All contact with patients is face-to-face or via telephone. On occasion staff video call another staff member during a visit to the patient’s house to seek advice, Facetime is normally used for this.
Perth and Kinross
- Less formal – mobile phones/phone calls
- Near Me has not yet been tested with the team.
Lothian
Midlothian
We have not used Near Me. A lot of our older patients would not manage this, especially when unwell.
We tend to phone or use video calls between a staff member in the house and a clinician in base.
Edinburgh
We have been using an iSTAT machine for Point of Care (POC) blood results. This is being reviewed and we will likely be using different equipment in the new year but is to be confirmed.
West Lothian
We do not use Near Me. Telephones are sufficient.
East Lothian
Near Me not trialed. Communication is achieved through face-to-face visits or telephone calls. Difficult to use given poor network coverage in rural areas.
Western Isles
- The service have used Near Me, some consultants like it but others don’t. One benefit is that it allows consultants to see patients. They don’t necessarily have need for it, but is it there as an option.
- Had a Wizan kit at one point but it never got used due to cumbersome nature of accessing it.
- Less formal communication is the rule of the day. Near Me in particular is cumbersome and not seen to add anything over good clinical assessment.