Darent Valley first with iSoft kiosks

ISoft has won a deal to provide Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust with five self-service kiosks, which will be used to cut queues and reduce the pressure of incoming patients on reception and nursing staff.

The deal is iSoft’s first sale of Savience kiosks since agreeing a partnership with the company in February.

The kiosks will be implemented in Darent Valley Hospital’s reception area and fracture clinic and will allow patients to check-in for appointments and update their demographic information.

Paul Wilson, the trust’s outpatient project manager, said they should also help to cut ‘did not attend’ rates.

Wilson said: “Poor demographic information is a significant problem, which the new system will help overcome. The Savience system will help to minimise DNA rates and contribute to a sizeable reduction in lost revenue.

“The system will enable the reception staff to concentrate on the important end of pathway processes, such as outcomes, follow-on appointments and coding, as well as allowing them to devote more to patients that need help.

"It will also lead to more effective use of nursing time, as nurses will spend far less time finding and escorting patients.”

The kiosks, which include built in printers, provide the patient with a call number and appointment details and are supported by eight new plasma screens.

When the kiosks have been implemented, the trust will look at introducing SMS text messaging and email reminders. It will also look at interfacing them with its iSoft patient administration system, to update patient details automatically.

Adrian Stevens, managing director of iSoft’s UK and Ireland business said: “I am confident of further orders for Savience kiosks from other NHS trusts given the obvious benefits and potential savings.”

* ISoft has also announced that it was a successful candidate in the telehealth assistive technologies framework agreement from Buying Solutions, the national procurement organisation for UK public services.

The two year framework agreement facilitates the buying process for trusts and covers the purchase, installation, maintenance, monitoring and coaching of telecare and telehealth systems across the country.

Link: ISoft