Digital Health Solutions & innovation - exploration of Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

Introduction - What we did The team was tasked with the following: Identify top 10 administratively time consuming processes currently in place in CHN which could be supported by robotic process automation (RPA). Deep dive into 3 processes. Provide recommendations including benefit analysis of implementing RPA. Outcomes and what was achieved: The team successfully identified 3 processes, which could be suitable for RPA and where efficiency and accuracy could also be increased. Cora looks at the renewal process of regulated health care professionals in our CHO. I take the information from the professional registration certs and generate a Patient Safety Assurance Certificate form for each cert I get. I then keep all this together in a register. This will help all the managers to reduce the time they spend finding and collating this information, saving time and money. This will help to look after our core value of trust! Freya takes all mandatory training certificates and forwards them to relevant line managers. This is done by linking HSELand and the HSE SAP system using personnel numbers. This will help line managers to ensure that all staff members have the necessary required mandatory training completed. This will support our core value of learning. Venus looks at all of the applications for home support and check if there is any information missing. The form has 14 sections and sometimes there is information missing. If there is information missing, the form is sent back in real time, improving quality, preventing delayed discharge, and avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions. This supports the core values of care, compassion and trust. The project involved using the Health Service Change Guide to ensure key stakeholders would be involved throughout the process i.e. relevant staff from all grades and disciplines, clinical, non- clinical and management. Engaging with and seeking feedback from stakeholders, ensured we understood the interest and influence required from various stakeholders. Key Learnings: This project allowed us to embrace integrated working across divisions through shared vision and values for better outcomes for staff and benefits for the service user. The project highlighted how connections and how RPA plays a role in building better patient pathways. As a result of the project we made recommendations to the CHO about implementing RPA including, cost benefit analysis, promoting a deeper understanding of RPA, how RPA could be used to improve access to care for service users and improve efficiency in service delivery. The project also highlighted the role of compassionate leadership plays in integrating change and the fundamental need of effective communication across teams and divisions. Next Steps: The use of RPA can inform planning and delivering of future services, ensuring the right care, in the right place at the right time. Embracing a new way of integrated working which embodies the essence of SlainteCare by breaking down 'silo working’ and providing a better experience for the service user. This project is in phase 2: Developing plans for implementation