A Pathfinder HealthWatch

Database

Overview
 
A core activity of any Local Involvement Network is to find out what service users think of services, identify
strengths and weaknesses and either act or pass on this information.
 
The database has developed to record service user comments from any source and establish the trends.
 
Detailed trends analysis reports identify targets for enter-and-view, inform commissioners or help to set a work plan.
 
 
Features
 
Multiple Source Data Capture: Combines service user comments obtained from outreach with those from provider reports to create a rich data source.
Automatic Trends Analysis: With a triple-layered coding standard of issues, the database can get right to the trends. Features automatic Comprehensive Reports containing 32 pages of data.
Bespoke Trends Analysis: Search on free text as well as datasets.
Analysis Tools: A dedicated spreadsheet analyses issues, services, medical conditions, volumes, comment origin and safeguarding.
CQC: The coding standard is mapped against the CQC's Essential Standards - communicate with the regulator in their language! 
Advocacy: An advocacy tracker records support activity.
 
Practical Application:
 
It is known that some hospital inpatients are not examined after falls on the ward. Read all comments containing the word 'fall' to see how often this occurs.
 
A routine data analysis reveals a poor standard of hygiene at a certain care home. Target for Enter and View.
 
Provide a Public Health Commissioner with patient experience information on foot health and sexual health services.
 
A PALS report includes a number of concerns about a certain outpatients clinic. Check all records on this clinic to establish the extent of the problem.
 
Produce a periodical report on patient experience at the hospital, to be scrutinized at their Quality Meeting.
 
Produce outreach reports for Practice Managers containing recommendations.
 
Comments obtained at outreach indicate a poor level of service on the maternity ward, similar incidents are detailed in recent complaints reports. Target for Enter and View.
 
Provide advocacy in a structured manner.
 
View Samples of Database Generated Reports:
  
Standard Outreach Report: Standard Trends Analysis | Service User Comments | Service User Survey
Comprehensive Provider Report: Comprehensive Trends Analysis

Overview 
 
Local Involvement Networks take a central place within their communities and are able to connect interest groups. 

The database has developed to help build relationships and combines contact lists, work-streams and locale to create a powerful organisational tool.
 
 
Features
 
Participation Management: Create mailing lists and stakeholder groups to get the right information to the right people.
Statistics: Get up-to-date figures on levels of participation.
Mapping and Signposting: Containing post-codes and a coding standard of 139 occupations, the database provides pinpoint mapping and signposting.
 
Practical Application:
 
Direct a resident to their local pharmacy.
 
Identify individuals or groups associated with diabetes and invite to a focus group.
 
 Identify users of a GP Practice and invite to join a Patients Panel.
 
 Assign an individual or group to a stakeholder list, such as the Executive Committee.
 
  Send a bulk email (such as an eBulletin or alert) to participants or to a wider mailing list.
 
 Produce labels for hard copy mailing.

Local Involvement, it's all in the Database...

Lewisham Local Involvement Network has developed an advanced bespoke database in Microsoft Access.

The database, heralded as a model of good practice by NHS Lewisham, LINks Exchange and others, is capable of:

Managing Participation, Mapping Communities and Signposting.
Assisting with Work Reporting.
Recording Service User Comments, Establishing Issues and Trends Analysis.
Communicating with the CQC in their Language!
 
 
From September 2011, the database is free to download (click here).

2008 - 2011, Darren Morgan