Optimistic about Unity optimisation

November 8, 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.

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.

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.

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 Sherry Craig

Senior sister Sherry Craig (second from right) is a super user in surgical services. She played a key role in helping her team through go-live and beyond, but was keen to share the credit.

“Every member of the team understood different areas so together we could get the answers quickly. It was quite seamless. We used each other so we didn’t have to use our floorwalker too much.

“The beauty of having two wards – Lyndon 3 and Newton 3 – is that we could work with each other. Staffing was a challenge but we managed to get through it,” said Sherry.

“During go-live we were encouraged to wear the turquoise Unity t-shirt so people knew straightaway who you were. It helped you to stand out.”

Sherry has started to notice some advantages of Unity already and thinks that more will become apparent over time.

“It’s nice to have everything in one place and it’s easier to find what you’re looking for rather than going through reams and reams of paperwork. The more we use the system the better it will become because the background of information is there.”

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.