Putting the standard into practice
Develop a detailed timetable
Based on your high-level roadmap, develop a detailed timetable for change with dates and responsibilities clearly identified. This will signal to stakeholders when the change programme will begin, how long it will take and prepare them to fulfil their role in making it happen.
Consider the following when pulling together your timetable:
Piloting – a small scale trial at the start of a project can help to refine your plan and test systems and requirements.
Plan and procure system changes
Procure the system changes needed ensuring that systems will be delivered that are conformant with the standard. See NHS England procurement guidance.
Agree how the team will be involved in testing the software to ensure it is conformant and meets local requirements.
Technical message standards can be found in the NHSE API catalogue.
Piloting
We recommend piloting a small-scale trial; implementing the information standard for a small number of users or in a small locality. After these users have been trained, the project team can make charts of the processes involved – these charts will form the basis for training all users to access and utilise the information standard.
There are several advantages to running a pilot:
Reduces the risk of a full-scale implementation as adjustments and modifications can be made as a result of the pilot
Training
When you are ready to implement the information standard on a wide scale, you will need to develop training materials. You can use our example slides as part of your training initiative.
Your training plan
Make a list of stakeholders who will need to be trained and produce a timetable of training
Work through the example training schedule to develop your plan.
Multiple training sessions can be helpful for your staff to engage and have a greater lever of understanding
Different groups of users will have different learning styles. Take this into account when designing the type of training you offer.
Safety case and hazard log
Every information standard built by PRSB includes a safety case and a hazard log. These additional documents are written based on the NHS guidance – PRSB, as developers of the data model, use DCB0129 guidance (for manufacturers of health IT systems).
Why use a safety case and hazard log?
The purpose of the safety case and hazard log is to identify the hazards which could cause a person harm because of using the standard, along with how that hazard can be mitigated. There are different types of mitigation – through system design, testing, user training or business control processes.
When implementing the Wound Care Standard you should consider and mitigate hazards using the documentation. Any suppliers you work with must:
- Develop their own safety case and hazard log, using NHS guidance DCB0160, this should reference a DCB0129 assessment created by the system supplier
- Have registered clinical safety officers to ensure the systems implemented are safe for use and person care
- Run risk assessments to determine the likelihood and consequence of a risk happening
As part of ongoing clinical risk management, regular clinical risk assessments are recommended. This can be done using a recognised tool e.g., SWIFT or Bow tie.
Resources
Information Standards Notice
Information Standards Notices announce new or modified standards. Their release is managed by the Data Alliance Partnership Board (DAPB) who ensures the quality of these standards.
The ISN provides details such as standard confirmation, implementation date, mandate status, legal or contractual basis for data requests, and key contacts.
The Wound Care Information Standard has achieved ISN Status following rigorous quality assurance by the NHS Data Alliance Partnership Board. Find out more about ISN status here.
Resources
Digital Technology Assessment Criteria
If a new system is proposed (or an existing contract renewed) to support the implementation of the Wound Care Implementation Standard, the healthcare organisation should ask the supplier (developer) of the system to complete the digital technology assessment criteria proforma.
What is it used for?
DTAC (Digital Technology Assessment Criteria) is a set of standards and guidelines used to evaluate digital health technologies. They are designed to ensure that any digital health technology used by the NHS is safe, effective, and offers value for money.
The DTAC criteria cover a wide range of factors including clinical effectiveness, patient safety, data protection and security, usability, accessibility, and interoperability. They are used to assess digital health technologies across different stages of development, from early-stage prototypes to fully developed products.
The purpose of the NHS England DTAC is to provide a consistent and transparent framework for evaluating digital health technologies, and to support the adoption of innovative technologies that can improve patient outcomes and enhance the quality of care provided by the NHS.
By following these criteria, digital health technology developers can ensure that their products meet the standards required for use within the NHS, and that they have the best chance of being adopted by healthcare providers.
Is it UK wide?
DTAC is specific to the healthcare system in England. However, there are similar frameworks in Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Each have their own set of standards and guidelines for evaluating digital health technologies that are specific to their healthcare system.
Resources
Monitor, measure and adjust
Once you have implemented the Wound Care Information Standard, you’ll want to measure the success of your implementation, e.g. how often the elements within standard are being used and whether it is improving care and/or patient experience.
Analysing the results
- Are the expected benefits being achieved?
- If not, why not and how could this be improved?
- What has been learnt that would improve the process and outcomes?
You should expect to go through iterations to get your implementation right over time. This gives you a chance to review data on the effectiveness of the changes and course correct as needed in iterative cycles:
Define clear roles and responsibilities
Reflect on the data you have gathered
Make adaptations to your system or processes
Celebrate and publicise successes
Repeat
PRSB Standards Explained
Why we need standards to record our health and care information in a consistent way so that it can be made available whenever it is needed.
Making change happen
Transformation programmes need clear goals, the right leadership and engaged staff and stakeholders. Get started by reading our information on transformational change.
PRSB Support Available
If you have a question for PRSB, please contact our support team. We have an expert team who can help you find the answer, or direct you to the right place.