Avoiding unnecessary investigations and improving patient experience in the emergency department using the Shared Care Record

An emergency department speciality registrar doctor at Basildon Hospital has described how the Mid and South Essex Shared Care Record helped avoid unnecessary investigations, improve patient understanding, and reduce waiting times during a busy shift.

Dr Ibriak Mohamed recently saw a patient presenting with a persistent headache and intermittent visual symptoms, who was understandably anxious about the possibility of a stroke.

The challenge

The patient had strong concerns about the risk of stroke or brain injury and was keen for immediate further investigations. Understandably, they wanted reassurance that nothing serious had been missed.

For the clinician, it was essential to provide safe, evidence-based care while addressing the patient’s anxiety and avoiding duplication of recent tests. While the team had access to internal records from the current hospital, it was important to check for any recent investigations or care plans across other parts of the local health system to ensure nothing had been missed, and avoid repeated scans or investigations, unnecessarily using time, staff resource, and clinical capacity.

Accessing shared information

By accessing the Shared Care Record, Dr Mohamed could see that the patient had attended the emergency department just two days earlier, where a CT scan had already ruled out a stroke. The previous diagnosis of migraine had been documented, with a clear management plan in place. This included a referral to neurology, a recommendation to start migraine medication, and advice for the patient to keep a symptom diary for follow-up.

Having this information readily available allowed the clinician to have a more informed and reassuring discussion with the patient about their ongoing care.

Impact and outcomes

Using the Shared Care Record helped to:

• Prevent unnecessary repeat imaging and investigations, saving significant time, resource, and cost for the patient, the clinician, nursing staff, healthcare assistants, and the radiology team.
• Provide faster reassurance and clearer information to the patient, easing their anxiety and helping them feel listened to and involved in their care.
• Support shared decision-making, enabling a more collaborative discussion about the best course of action.
• Reduce pressure on departmental resources, helping to shorten waiting times for other patients and supporting smoother patient flow.
• Ensure that care was safe, evidence-based, and focused on the patient’s current needs, avoiding interventions that wouldn’t have changed the management plan.

The difference it made

Reflecting on the case, Dr Mohamed said

“This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the benefits of using the Shared Care Record. It helps me provide safer, more efficient care and avoid unnecessary tests that won’t change a patient’s management plan.

Having access to clear, up-to-date information puts us in a better position to address patient concerns, meet expectations, and use our department’s time and resources wisely.

It also helps avoid medication errors by giving us a reliable view of a patient’s current prescriptions and allergy history. I would highly recommend every clinician uses the Shared Care Record at the earliest possible stage of patient contact.”