Hospital theatre booking system shortlisted for award

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a finalist in the prestigious eHealth Insider 2013 competition for a computer system that was designed in-house by one of its consultant anaesthetists, Dr David Nunn.

This system allows surgeons to submit important information about patients requiring emergency surgery from any hospital computer to an electronic theatre list. This information can be viewed instantly by all the relevant clinical teams, and it supports clinical decision-making by highlighting the health status of the patient, and their readiness for surgery, helping to reduce any delays.

The booking system links into other hospital IT systems, reducing the administrative burden on front-line clinical staff and reducing duplication.

Dr Nunn said: “The system gives the whole clinical team information at their fingertips when they are dealing with patients who need emergency surgery and replaces handwritten theatre lists.

“I am particularly proud of getting through to the finals of the eHI competition when competing against IT experts and I regularly receive requests for information about the system from other hospitals which is a sign of its success.”

The winner of the e-Health Insider Awards will be announced on Thursday 10 October at the Roundhouse, Camden Town, London.