LONDON – A study by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) finds that wireless networks, tablet computers and portable phone handsets improve clinical collaboration and patient care.

Commissioned by the European Commission, the study examined the effect of new collaboration technology from Cisco and Nervecentre Software at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH).

The new technology includes a Cisco network that provides both wired and wireless access, a Nervecentre workforce management system and 11 Cisco Cius tablet computers.

The study, titled Collaboration and communication technology at the heart of good clinical governance,  found a large improvement in patient safety and efficiency in NUH’s Hospital at Night (H@N) Emergency Department Service.

“The investigation team showed that while previously H@N coordinators had spent under four hours per week on clinical work, using the new system they were able to spend over 75 hours per week on direct hands-on care,” noted Mark Millar, council member, ACCA.

The study also identified an estimated yearly savings of £292,000 through the use of the tablet computers and portable phones. The workforce management solution resulted in better utilization of resources, netting NUH £97,000 in savings per year.