Arden & GEM CSU’s Data and Systems team has built a bespoke COVID-19 Patient Notification System (CPNS) to help providers accurately record patient deaths from coronavirus.
With the epidemic driving an enhanced need for timely data and intelligence, the CSU was approached to build the notification system by the NHS Chief Executive’s Office. With a successful track record of building, deploying and hosting similar applications – including a reporting application for deaths in custodial settings – Arden & GEM operates a secure and robust application and data warehouse environment.
The central notification system was developed in just five days, starting with a series of rapid discovery sessions held with NHS England and NHS Improvement; Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR) teams; and representatives from the national Incident Coordination Centre (ICC). The system replaces a manual data return spreadsheet which providers were previously using over email, as a temporary measure, to record deaths.
The application uses a web form which can be accessed on any internet connected device, with the majority of fields auto-filled once the appropriate NHS number has been entered, reducing data entry errors and improving data quality. The user registration process is managed through NHS Improvement and uses OKTA authentication, with all entries validated at both a regional and national level to corroborate notifications.
Arden & GEM’s Head of Data and Systems, David O’Callaghan said, “With an unprecedented need for timely and accurate data, we were able to quickly build a bespoke application which has reduced the reporting burden on busy Trusts, enabling them to provide information in a simple and standardised format. The output will be a live reporting stream, to underpin national death analysis, which supports organisations to understand disease spread and make informed decisions in the fight against COVID-19.”
Data baselines and streaming are provided directly to NHS England and Improvement’s EPPR teams, the NHS Chief Executive’s Office, the ICC and Public Health England.
“The development of the CPNS has been a tremendous effort by a fantastic team. Capturing timely, accurate and comprehensive data on COVID-related deaths has been of vital importance in building our understanding of the impact and necessary response to the pandemic across the NHS in England. The team have worked tirelessly to build a robust system, enabling the collection of rich, high quality data, with extremely timely reporting. A brilliant effort that has been hugely appreciated by all of us at NHS England.”
Rob Stones, Director of Performance, Chief Operating Officer’s Directorate at NHS England