InfoFlex provides key management data to Sheffield dietitians

The InfoFlex system developed by Home enteral feeding (HEF) dietitians in Sheffield has recently been praised in a British Dietetic Association publication.  The "PENlines" newsletter includes a feature on the Sheffield Home Enteral Feed Dietetic Service which supports patients in their homes and uses InfoFlex to record its activity and provide valuable management data.

Sean White and Gary Simpson (Home enteral feeding dietitians) say "Over the last 9 years the number of adult patients on HEF in Sheffield has increased significantly to its current level of 210 patients.  Fortunately, our team has also increased appropriately within this time, allowing for patients to continue receiving a responsive service that is patient led with regards the amount of input provided.  We firmly believe that this increase in staff resource has been made possible by providing accurate, relevant evidence to managers and commissioners that we are clinically effective and that we are a service that patients need.  This has come in the form of annual service reports stating not just activity but also the number and types of interventions that have avoided hospital visits (which can be translated into financial savings).  We enter our activity onto an excellent InfoFlex database that has evolved over the years, under our guidance, to provide us with relevant reports at the touch of a button.  We have also completed 3 service user surveys which have provided constructive feedback, allowing us to adapt to patients needs and helped endorse our service further."

The article concludes "In an increasingly difficult financial climate it is vital we understand the service from top to bottom, identifying areas where efficiencies can be made while preserving the highest level of support for patients, and translating this to commissioners at every opportunity.  Good, relevant data collection and reporting, is the basis for this, as well as pushing through service improvements in response to identified gaps or client/HCP feedback."

"PENlines" is a newsletter for PEN Group members and is circulated three times a year.  The article discussed above was included in the Autumn 2011 edition of PENlines. View the full article.

The "PENlines" newsletter is a publication of The Parenteral & Enteral Nutritition (PEN) Group, a specialist group of the British Dietetic Association. The PEN Group strives to train, educate, support and represent dietitians working in oral, enteral and parenteral nutrition support in all care settings. The group acts as the professional voice on matters pertaining to nutritional support and is a founder group of BAPEN. Members are registered Dietitians who aim to ensure that nutritional support for patients is safe and clinically effective both in hospital and at home.  For more information, visit the Pen Group website or email:communications.peng@bda.uk.com.

InfoFlex dietetics systems are in use in a number of hospital trusts.  For more information, please contact CIMS.

Posted on: Tuesday, 1st May 2012
Return to: latest news or archive for May 2012