Plans to update Jersey’s Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system have been delayed by WiFi problems, according to an annual report.
IMS MAXIMS was selected as the Jersey Government’s preferred EPR supplier in October 2021, and the £29.3 million system is due to be fully deployed by 2025.
Jersey General Hospital has announced that it will implement the MAXIMS EPR system across all departments in 2023.
However, the Jersey Government’s Health and Community Services (HCS) “Annual Report for the Second Quarter 2024” published on 13 August 2024 revealed that plans to upgrade the hospital’s EPR have been delayed “due to its reliance on the hospital’s Wi-Fi improvement plans”.
“Once the unstable Wi-Fi issue in the hospital is resolved, the Wi-Fi module can go ahead,” the report said, adding that the work is expected to be carried out by mid-2025.
Paul Morris, Digital Health Programme Manager for the Jersey Government, said of the delay: Digital Health News: “In May 2023, Jersey Health and Community Services successfully implemented the IMS MAXIMS EPR system which is now being used across the relevant department.
“As part of our digital health strategy, a programme of enhancements is planned, some of which will rely on Wi-Fi.
“Once these Wi-Fi issues are resolved, we will see advancements in these expansion modules.”
The annual report also said plans for the Ophthalmology EPR, which aimed to “reduce waiting times” through automation and efficiency, had been put on hold due to “resource constraints” and was due to be reviewed in 2025.
EPR in sexual health clinics will “capture structured clinical data and eliminate paper-based processes” and is on track for implementation in the fourth quarter of 2024. HCS signed an agreement with IMS MAXIMS in June 2023 to begin offering the company’s sexual health solution, PreView.
In May 2024, HCS introduced an electronic prescribing system at Jersey General Hospital’s pharmacy, which aims to reduce waiting times and improve patient safety.
However, the report said that although the rollout of the Electronic Patient Medication Administration (EPMA) system has been completed, the upgrade has been delayed due to issues with the software’s functionality.
“Discussions are ongoing with suppliers to evaluate potential solutions,” the report said.
Digital transformation is part of Jersey’s five-year strategy, with the report saying there is a “vision to develop Jersey into a digital, world-class health and care system that leverages technology everywhere to deliver accessible, connected and person-centred care”.
In February 2024, an audit report by Auditor-General Lynne Pamment raised issues surrounding Jersey’s implementation of the EPR.
Pamment found that despite the “significant efforts” made by the EPR program team, “the level of engagement from senior clinicians and managers fell short of expectations and hopes.”
The Jersey government did not respond. Digital Health News Request for comment at time of publication.
