Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, in collaboration with Altera Digital Health and Healthcare Innovation Consortium (HIC), has completed a trailblazing benefits realisation review in tissue viability.
Breakthrough improvements have been delivered through the adoption of the Sunrise Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system, as part of the review to understand and optimise the impact of introducing the solution to the service. The innovative review, led by independent digital health consultancy HIC, found Sunrise achieved significant advancements in care quality, patient safety and clinical efficiency by replacing fragmented, error-prone paper processes with streamlined, data-driven workflows. By leveraging the EPR system, the trust is better positioned to prevent pressure ulcers and enhance care pathways.
“This was a quality-driven initiative,” said Jackie Edwards, Chief Clinical Digital Engagement Officer at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. “Tissue viability is a key improvement priority for the trust. Effective prevention and management of skin and soft tissue health are absolutely vital to avoid complications, such as pressure ulcers. Complications can lead to extended hospital stays, increased morbidity and significant healthcare costs, especially for our most vulnerable patients.”
The system’s ability to centralise patient data, provide real-time access and automate critical alerts has unlocked real-time insights. Clinicians are enabled to respond faster, communicate more effectively across teams and make safer, more informed decisions.
Feedback analysis highlighted key benefits, such as enhanced compliance with care protocols and quicker interventions for high-risk patients. As one clinician remarked, “The EPR system’s ability to centralise information has allowed for quicker interventions without needing to be physically present. It gives us a comprehensive view of patient risk factors.”
The review was grounded in extensive stakeholder engagement with ward staff, tissue viability nurses, governance teams, digital leads, medical consultants and senior nurse leaders through workshops, one-on-one interviews, and a trust-wide questionnaire. Their insights were combined with system data, process mapping, and real-world use cases to measure existing qualitative benefits, optimisation opportunities, baseline benefits for areas yet to go live and current challenges.
Overall, 96% of questionnaire respondents found the trust’s practices for managing tissue viability effective and 60% said it was easy to document and access patient information related to tissue viability using the EPR system. Quick wins for immediate optimisation included the introduction of a tick-box indicator that flags when a wound image has been uploaded. This allows clinicians to quickly check whether visual documentation is up to date, streamlining access to wound images and ensuring relevant teams have the latest information available.
Looking ahead, the review identified opportunities for longer-term EPR enhancements, such as integrated clinical guidance for high Waterlow scores (tissue viability risk assessment tool), greater search capabilities and expanded options for surface selection in recording the SSKIN bundle assessment.
“This comprehensive programme gave us a fantastic opportunity to deep dive into a crucial patient safety issue and shape a meaningful, measurable digital solution,” added Jackie Edwards. “It supports the trust to deliver an implementation approach that is firmly guided by better outcomes and will provide the best possible springboard to deliver excellent care.”
The pioneering benefits review aligns closely with overcoming national EPR optimisation challenges. According to a research report published by the Health Foundation, when EPRs are used well they can unlock important care and productivity improvements. However, with England at a pivotal moment as the NHS moves closer to every trust having an EPR system, many are still navigating how to unlock their full potential.
Mark Hutchinson, Executive Vice President, Healthcare Strategy and Transformation, UK & EMEA, Altera Digital Health, said: “The next, and arguably most important, challenge is making sure EPR systems truly deliver. We are fully committed to ensuring their true potential is reached and Worcestershire Acute Hospital’s EPR benefits review is a brilliant example of what’s possible. It stands out as a national blueprint for EPR success. Not only for driving continuous improvement but also to promote strong staff engagement and a robust framework that can be applied to other system implementations across the trust.”
Hadleigh Stollar, CEO, Healthcare Innovation Consortium, said: “HIC was proud to support such a successful and collaborative project – this isn’t just about adopting digital health, it’s about shaping it. By leading with purpose and evidence, the trust has set a powerful example of how technology, when implemented thoughtfully and collaboratively, can drive real, measurable impact to patients and those caring for them. It has the potential to serve as a model for national digital health strategies and policy to drive better patient outcomes across the NHS.”
