OPAT & The ThirdWay App

Context

Following on from a Small Business Research Initative (SBRI) called “Kindocoin” in which 5 industry partners participated, real World Testing was undertaken to evaluate whether it was possible to build a digital bridge linking third-sector service providers and volunteers/case workers with clinical staff working in the Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) service. This clinic frequently offers care and treatment to patients suffering severe and multiple deprivation and missingness and it was hypothesised that by directly linking third sector support with patients, engagement with care could be enhanced. which this technology was trialled included people experiencing severe and multiple deprivation, for example those experiencing homelessness, addiction, mental health morbidity or migrant status as well as the elderly and frail population.

Problem

Patients such as those experiencing homelessness, those in temporary or insecure accommodation and or those with problematic alcohol/drug use are both less likely to be offered this care pathway or to attend if offered an appointment. It is hoped that assistance to attend with the help of third sector support will lead to clinically meaningful improved outcomes and engagement in care. Detailed understanding of the third sector community landscape is lacking within hospital-based clinicians and so by reducing the knowledge required from clinical staff to an ‘ask’ on behalf of a patient, we hoped to increase involvement of third sector organisations in patient care

Solution

The project undertook to evaluate the process implementation of the 3rd Way App (TeamKinetic OPAT Volunteer Hub) during its initial Test of Change pilot. It focused on the appt’s viability as a single point of contact connecting NHS clinical staff with multiple, pre-vetted voluntary sector partners.

Key Evaluation Outputs Sought

Our evaluation was based on the following sources of information:

1. Team Kinetics Analytical reports of service engagement and assure scores.

2. Data capturing the feedback of patients, NHS, 3rd Sector Organisation and Volunteers/Case Workers via evaluation questionnaires.

3. Additional feedback via conversations with the Project Manager.

Results