Leicester Hospital Reduces Carbon Footprint by 165.83kg with E-Sign

The University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL) Kidney Pharmacy team coordinates prescriptions of high-cost, critical specialist medicines, including essential anti-rejection medications for patients following a kidney transplant. In May 2022, kidney services were relocated, with the team needing to work cross-site between hospitals in Leicester. 

At the time paper prescriptions were being used and the relocation of the Kidney Pharmacy team would have required these prescriptions to be transported between hospital sites to be dispensed. Transporting prescriptions would have incurred additional costs and lengthened turnaround times, with potential failure to deliver critical medicines promptly.

UHL needed a safe and reliable way of electronically prescribing these outpatient prescriptions and remotely processing them. To maintain service sustainability and efficiency and minimise the risk of disruption in medication supplies. UHL started using E-Sign to reduce turnaround times and improve the efficiency of prescriptions being signed off by the relevant professionals and dispensed.

How did E-Sign help UHL?

The UHL pharmacy homecare team proposed to use E-Sign as part of the NCHA RxESH system, so by also using E-Sign for their in-house Kidney Pharmacy home delivery services, they could ensure familiarity and standardisation of electronic signatures used in UHL. Leicester Hospital was satisfied that E-Sign was a provider on the PSN (Public Service Network), and already in use in other NHS Trusts. With the ability to add advanced electronic signatures to existing prescription templates and provide an audit trail of signatures and electronic document transfers.

Trust and pharmacy approval were obtained for E-Sign and finances were secured for a 1-year pilot to start in May 2022. Relevant stakeholders were involved throughout to review processes and update standard operating procedures and work undertaken collaboratively with UHL’s outpatient pharmacy, TrustMed. E-Sign was introduced for Kidney Pharmacy home delivery services in April 2022 for electronic signing and transfer of prescriptions.

 

“We have seen significant improvements in our pharmacy service efficiency since implementing E-Sign. The platform is user-friendly and has allowed our team to securely and reliably provide prescriptions for crucial patient medication, minimising the risk of supply disruption and saving valuable time. Collaborating with E-Sign has been an easy process, Desi and Luke have always been professional and approachable to offer support when needed” – Amy Page, Kidney Pharmacy Team

Since the successful implementation of E-Sign, over 5000 prescriptions have been processed with the following results:

• Electronic signatures and instant prescription transfer have streamlined processes and improved service efficiency.
• Turnaround times for prescriptions have improved, with 13.6% of prescriptions prepared over 14 days before delivery (compared to 68% with paper prescriptions).
• Ability to process prescriptions from any location supported cross-site working, reducing travel and stress for staff.
• Time dedicated to paper prescription filing (3 days per year) has been eliminated. Freeing up capacity to support a responsive service maintained cross-site.
• Cost savings through minimising stationary costs, avoiding cross-site transportation of prescriptions and reducing urgent delivery charges.
• Improvements in environmental sustainability. Minimised paper use and carbon footprint reduced by 165.83kg to date.
• Improved audit trail of prescriptions and prescribing data reporting. The risk of prescription loss during transfer and delayed deliveries has been avoided.

Conclusion

The E-Sign implementation has achieved demonstrable improvements in service efficiency, supported cross-site working and reduced costs for the UHL Kidney Pharmacy home delivery services. The pilot was extended and 2 years later they are still using E-Sign to process electronic prescriptions. Ongoing data is being collected and evaluated to assess impact and support further service improvement and development. E-Sign is delighted with the results achieved by UHL and looks forward to our continued partnership. Providing them with a tailored and flexible solution that streamlines their document processes. 

Contact us today to find out more about how E-Sign can help your business with its digital document needs. Our digital transformation team will be able to discuss your requirements and find a suitable solution. You can also get started with E-Sign by registering for our 14-day free trial. This will allow you to explore the features and functionality of the platform for yourself and see how it can work for your organisation.