Boundary spanning and data coordination in alcohol care pathways
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding how data is shared between different teams and agencies in care pathways for patients with alcohol use disorders, and the role of coordination, boundaries and uncertainty on information exchange processes. \n
IRAS ID
232498
Contact name
Richard Williams
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Lancaster University
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
Understanding how data is shared between different teams and agencies in care pathways for patients with alcohol use disorders (AUD), and the role of team boundaries and uncertainty on information exchange processes. \n\nIn the UK there is no universal electronic patient health record. Even within individual hospitals, there is often a lack of synchronicity between different IT systems. Some patient records are held electronically, whilst others are paper-based. Patients with AUDs regularly attend hospital A&E departments. From the point of arrival at A&E, and throughout the subsequent care journey, clinicians in different teams require access to patient data in order to provide accurate and timely treatment. Gaps within the data can cause delays to care delivery or inappropriate treatment being administered, leading to longer hospital stays, increased potential for recurring A&E visits, and ultimately increased costs to the health service. \n\nThis study will examine how patient data and patient information flows between teams within AUD care pathways in use in Blackpool, from the point of admission at A&E, through inpatient care to discharge and onwards to community support. The study will identify when, how and by whom data is collected and how this data moves between teams by examining formal data flow mechanisms and informal mechanisms. It will highlight any areas of best practice and of weakness, and identify potential opportunities for improvement. Data will be collected through interviews with hospital staff including doctors, nurses and administrators, community alcohol support staff and former hospital in-patients.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/SW/0158
Date of REC Opinion
29 Jun 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion