Intelligent Automation can be used to support diagnostic pathways, by increasing the speed with which patient diagnostic tests are requested, improving the timeliness or result reviews, and ensuring patients are tracked throughout all stages of the pathway.

Supports earlier diagnosis and faster treatmnet
Improves quality of care and patient experince
Drives system wide transformation across pathways

System Priorities

  • Expand capacity and reduce the diagnostic backlog
  • Reduce waiting times
  • Provide personalised care
  • Increase patient choice
  • Deliver on the diagnostic digital roadmap

Key Benefits of Intelligent Automation:

Transforms Patient Care

Transforms Patient Care

Reduces Referral Backlog

Reduces Referral Backlog

Increases Workforce Capability

Increases Treatment Capacity

Reduces Clinical Risk

Minimises Clinical Risk

Improves Waitlist Managements

Improves Waitlist Management

Enhances Data Quality

Enhances Data Quality

Transforming Diagnostics in the NHS through Automation

Ruby Ali – Associate Director of Operations, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

“In its commitment to providing exceptional patient care, the NHS recognises the transformative potential of utilising automation throughout the diagnostic pathway. With the ability to streamline workflows, reduce human error, and deliver faster results, automation is a powerful tool that can be used to address the increasing demand for healthcare services. Embracing automation in diagnostics not only enhances operational efficiency but also ensures accurate, timely, and personalised care for every patient.”

Implementing Intelligent Automation to Optimise Diagnostic Pathways

There is a need to reduce the diagnostic backlog, and improve the flow of patients through diagnostic pathways, to provide timely diagnoses and ensure patients are treated quickly. Intelligent Automation can be implemented to optimise all aspects of diagnostic pathways, and as such, organisations across the NHS are turning to it to automate routine administrative tasks, that significantly enhance productivity and allow clinicians to spend more time diagnosing and treating patients.

Patient data often needs to be transferred between imaging systems and electronic health records; automation can support with the integration between existing systems, ensuring patient data is updated accurately, and in a timely manner. Intelligent Automation is also being used to track patients through their diagnostic pathways – this maximises capacity, guarantees that patients are only seen with a complete clinical diagnostic picture, and avoids unnecessary delays.

Transforming Diagnostics in the NHS through Automation

Use Cases:

Referral Management

Referral Management

Appointment Bookings

Appointment Bookings

Waiting Time Breach Validation

Waiting Time Breach Validation

Pathway Tracking

Pathway Tracking

Diagnostic Test Requests

Diagnostic Test Requests

Patient Recall & Screening Reminders

Patient Recall & Screening Reminders

DNA Management

DNA Management

Data Transfer Between Sites

Data Transfer Between Sites

FAQ

Automation can significantly reduce turnaround times for diagnostic tests, leading to faster diagnoses and treatment decisions, ultimately benefiting patients.

Automation can cover a wide range of diagnostic functions, including radiology, pathology, microbiology, and molecular diagnostics, among others.

Automation significantly reduces the risk of human error, leading to more consistent and accurate diagnostic results, which is crucial for patient safety.

Yes, automation can improve patient accessibility by enabling remote monitoring and quicker access to test results, making healthcare more convenient and effective for patients.

The transition will be carefully planned, tested and executed in phases by experienced NHS focussed automation experts, ensuring that patients continue to receive timely and quality care without disruption.

While there will be initial investment costs, automation can lead to long-term direct and indirect cost savings by improving Trust efficiency and reducing the need for retests and associated manual labour.

Yes, e18 has partnered with various NHS Trusts and implemented IA solutions, showcasing reduced diagnostic errors, faster diagnoses, and improved overall healthcare efficiency, ultimately benefiting both patients and healthcare providers.

Detailed success stories can be found here.