PRIMIS in Practice training session

Gena Leigh (left) tells us about a recent training session. Gena is pictured with Pam Gallacher (right), temporary facilitator for the PCT:

Janet Harrison, our PRIMIS Learning Consultant, gave a short introduction to PRIMIS and my role to the group before starting the PRIMIS In Practice training session on Read Coding.

Read Code training session

During the course of the session it became obvious that most practices had no idea what the NHS Terminology Browser was and that it was free and available to them. They said they often struggle finding those rarely used, weird and wonderful Read codes from their clinical system and they would be using this to help identify the correct code in future, saying that it will save time and also help to ensure they pick the right code first time.

Another common theme that has emerged from the training is that attendees now have a much clearer understanding of how the 5byte system works. They understand the principle that the more characters in the Read code the more specific the recording and they also gained a much better understanding of the importance of good data quality from a sharing perspective.

Many did not realise we were already sharing their practice’s data with Out of Hours and A&E meaning that their data entries were being scrutinised from external sources. This has prompted many of the data entry clerks to request that the summarising protocols within practice be updated and further guidance given to ensure that this is taken into account.

Everyone commented on how enjoyable the session was and I know that it has raised awareness of the importance of accurate coding among practice staff.

Information Governance session

The PRIMIS in Practice session on Information Governance was identified by many of the staff that attended as useful and , in particular, they had lots of questions on how to deal with patient detail requests, for example, how best to fax patient identifiable information if you were sending to non-designated safe haven fax number.

Many had been unaware of the specific legislation they had to abide by, for example, the Data Protection Act and also their responsibilities under the Freedom of Information Act, although, having said that most participants used common sense and knew what was acceptable and what wasn’t.

I have since been contacted by a number of the practice staff that attended the session for further information regarding onsite security and also for advice on how to deal with specific requests for patient information. To me this shows how they have taken the session to heart and are now thinking more about the implications of what they do before they do it.

Gena Leigh
November 2011