This Analysis would be in the form of a report that defines the scope of the work, justifying the need to develop a business case having spoken to the key stakeholders.  The recommendation of the report could be that they may not need to carry on with the project – though given the legal and Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST) requirements that Trusts are increasingly facing, such a recommendation is unlikely and would need to be carefully worded.  The areas of the Trust most likely to be receptive for an evaluation are:

 

• The Chief Executive’s Office – the Board is ultimately responsible for areas such as clinical risk and must take steps to ensure that clinical risk is reduced; EDM is also a ‘Star Rating’ influencer and helps meet the requirements of FOI;
• The Finance Department – EDM can show significant financial benefits to the Trusts;
• The Risk Management Group – they need to have the ability to identify, assess and understand the impact of potential events throughout the programme of work;
• The Medical Records Department – who are usually in a state of increasing chaos and are aware to the pressures and need for an EDM system;
• The IT Department – who may have been given the task of undertaking a programme of records digitisation without understanding the issues involved;
• The Clinical Director – senior clinicians are very aware of the failings of the paper-based records system and usually aggressively supportive and can be powerful influencers for change.