Optimistic about Unity optimisation

November 22, 2019

Please print this bulletin out and display in a prominent position in your ward/area and draw attention to it for all colleagues to read.

To help you get the best out of Unity we will continue to share top tips. Please take note of these helpful reminders as they may resolve an issue you have experienced.

Requesting a change to Unity

There are two types of issues that can arise when using Unity:

1. In most cases we need to help a user and their colleagues to develop expert knowledge of the product. As we all know there is a right way to use Unity. If we use the system in the right way then it works well, not just for us and our patients, but for the next user. That’s what we call optimisation.

Process flow – ‘I have a problem with Unity’

2. There is a second scenario, where we may need to change how Unity is set up or configured. There is a process to consider whether a change like that is required. Here’s how that process works.

Service change request form

A change request can be made to the weekly service change request meeting chaired by Martin Sadler and Liam Kennedy. If the request is less urgent, which most are, then your clinical group digital committee will consider the level of priority it needs.

In doing so, they will be particularly interested in whether your team is already performing optimally on Unity. Priority will be given to high performing teams’ requests. If your request is considered urgent then it will go direct to the weekly service change request meeting.

If you need help talk to your IT Business Relationship Manager (IT-BRM), whose names and details are below. BRMs are not an alternative to 4050 but they will help you to navigate the ways to improve your digital performance.

Documenting samples when collecting bloods

We are still having issues with people not following the correct process for collecting bloods, which means that the result cannot be endorsed when it is returned to the hospital from the laboratory.

Please remember that when you are collecting bloods you must collect samples first, mark them as collected in Unity and then print out labels. For more information, please see QRG RT06.

Recording patients’ dietary requirements

To record (order) your patients’ dietary requirements in Unity you have to first add the dietary order, then complete the dietary and beverage modifications using the options in the drop down boxes, before signing the order form.

In the drop down boxes you will find dietary options such as diabetic and gluten free, and beverages options such as red cup and fluid restrictions. Below are screenshots of the order form showing some of the options.

Any modifications will appear in Unity and print out on the meal plan to ensure your patients’ dietary requirements are met. They can also be viewed from Care Compass.

If you require more information, please speak to a super user, use e-coach or refer to QRG CD51.

Next week the clinical informatics team will be running a number of short 30-minute sessions for qualified nurses and ward service officers on how to order and modify dietary requirements, and create a ward meal plan in Unity. Details of the sessions are below:

To book a place at any of these sessions, please email swbh.unity.queries@nhs.net

Printing the meal plan on one page

The meal plan needs to be verified and printed prior to each mealtime and before giving it to the ward service officer. This is the responsibility of the nurse in charge.

To print the meal plan on one page, go to the top left hand corner – click file, task, print and then print. Following this route will ensure that the meal plan is printed on one page with all relevant dietary information.

Managing your activities in Care Compass

Activities are ordered and appear in Care Compass to support nurses to document care delivered and help plan workload for their shifts.

Activities are time-specific and those in black are still within the best practice timeframe for completion. Activities in red are overdue and should be completed as soon as possible.

As an example, on admission the safety assessment is triggered and should be completed within six hours. After this time the activity will go red. Even if the activity is red it will still require completion.

The safety assessment contains the following assessments.

1. Waterlow
2. MUST
3. Falls
4. Vulnerable person
5. Infection control
6. Skin assessment
7. Oral assessment
8. Measurements

To document and complete assessments, and document or record care provided, please ensure you access via Care Compass using the activities column. Do not go via the tasks or table of contents as the activities on Care Compass won’t drop off the activities outstanding list.

Below is a screenshot of how to access activities in Care Compass.

Ordering printer labels and printable ID bracelets

Please see below the details needed to order printer labels and printable ID bracelets via NHSSC.

All materially managed wards and departments will automatically start receiving the required items listed above, following discussions with the procurement team member that undertakes your weekly ordering.

If you have any queries concerning the above, please contact Lisa Southall, NHS supply chain and procurement supervisor, on ext. 4938.

You can also get in touch with any of the following members of the procurement team – Mark Shervington (ext. 4937), Earl Ebanks (ext. 4699), Jackie Graham (ext. 4939), Gurprit Galsinh (ext. 2824), Debbie Chetwynd (ext. 2823) or Becky Vanes (ext. 2689).

Help with CapMan

The quick reference guides (QRGs) to Unity, including how best to use CapMan, can be found on Connect or through eCoach.

All users are encouraged to use eCoach to access QRGs and support. Your activity on eCoach helps give the administration team much-needed knowledge so you can be better supported within Unity.

If you make an error in CapMan when transferring a patient from ED or any other ward, don’t panic, you don’t need to register the patient in IPM.

If you have transferred a patient to an incorrect ward or bed, please follow QRG CM40. If your patient isn’t on the transfer list, please follow QRG CM41.

Meet super user Jacqueline Slater

Senior sister Jacqueline Slater is a super user in the medical infusion suite. She was very engaged with the project from the start, working hard to ensure that Unity met the needs of her team.

“There was a lot of planning that needed to be done because we’re a day case unit where people come for IV therapy, treatment or minor procedures. We know who’s coming in so normally the prescriptions are done in advance to meet the appointment,” says Jacqueline.

“This meant that we needed to be able to future prescribe in Unity. That involved a lot of trial and error, working closely with the Unity team. Taru Simbi was really good and supportive.”

Although their full dress rehearsal didn’t go to plan, and revealed a few issues, the team remained positive and continued to test potential solutions. Eventually they were able to get the necessary changes in place ready for go-live. It was a testing experience, but they made it through.

“There’s been some tension, some tears and some laughter. We’ve worked on our relationships, which have become stronger because of Unity.

“We’re doing a lot of teaching and coaching with the doctors. Even though we don’t do any prescribing ourselves we were involved in the planning so we know how it works,” she says.

Remember – you can contact your super users for help and advice or call ext. 4050 if you have issues with your device or use of Unity.