Early recognition of patient deterioration

NHS Lanarkshire is a champion of healthcentric digital transformation. With the health board set to open Scotland’s first digital hospital in approximately 2028, the incremental piloting of key technologies is firmly underway. Here, we consider how its shift towards electronic recording of digital clinical observations has helped to innovate vital signs recording and thus reduced patient deterioration

While much of Scotland’s health-centric attentions have been focused on combatting COVID-19 during the pandemic period, the past 18 months have also seen significant steps taken towards achieving the country’s medical innovation ambitions behind the scenes.

NHS Lanarkshire, Scotland’s third largest health board, has been at the very heart of this progress, spearheading plans to develop the country’s first digital hospital in the form of the yet to be constructed University Hospital Monklands building.