Microtest users guided by Guru

Microtest has launched a clinical data-sharing tool that enables remote access to GP patient records held in its Evolution system.

GURU means that GPs can log-in to see details about a patient they are treating in the community – such as medication, allergies and medical history – with all information live and updated.

Microtest managing director Chris Netherton said GURU had been in development for 18-24 months.

It will be up to practices to decide who to share their patient data with, but this might be other GPs, out-of-hours doctors or community providers.

“The practice gets to determine who they share the data with in the first place, how much of the patient record they share and how many times the remote user can see the data,” Netherton explained.

GPs could also use GURU to share an electronic record with the patient, which might fit with the government’s goal for all patients to have access to their online records by 2015.

The interoperable tool could be used for research projects or drug trials, he said. It supported all web browsers so could be used with any other clinical system. “Its capabilities are virtually limitless,” said Netherton.

Berkshire GP Dr Avish Punater has been trialling GURU. He said it was particularly useful when dealing with his practice’s large nursing home population, as he could see what drugs a patient was taking and any other relevant information in real time.

Nursing home staff often wanted to see information on a resident’s latest hospital visit, which he could access onsite, rather than having to go back to the practice and fax it through.

“Apart from making life more efficient it makes life a lot safer,” said Dr Punater.

GURU allows users to see a lot more information than is held in a Summary Care Record, and unlike the national summary was always up to date, he added. In addition, he can write notes directly into the patient record.

“Moving forwards, it’s going to be absolutely vital for providing safe and efficient healthcare because we don’t always conduct healthcare in our surgeries,” he said.

Netherton said GURU could be accessed on any device. Patient information is fully encrypted and users have a log-in and password – or an enabling key can be sent to a mobile phone.

Microtest had fielded calls from providers all over the country who were interested in what GURU could do.

“Our phones are ringing red hot…it’s really really exciting,” he added. “It’s going to be the way of working in the future.”