United Kingdom
UPMC entered into a 14-month partnership in 2008 with Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals, a national health system trust in the northern part of England. This partnership focuses on the implementation of electronic health record applications in Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals’ three facilities. Drawing on UPMC’s clinical domain knowledge and vast experience with successful IT deployments, this effort includes the implementation of six applications: patient administration, accident and emergency, results review and orders, medication orders, theatre (operating room) management, and pharmacy management systems.
Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals provides care to more than 3 million residents and is a center for critical care, teaching, and research. The 2,000-bed system comprises the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Freeman Hospital, and Newcastle General Hospital. This partnership between UPMC and Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals should improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of patient care by increasing consistency and clarity of information. In addition, Newcastle has agreed to collaborate with UPMC to support similar projects at other U.K. trusts.