Innovator profile: MediShout How opening doorsandlxing lightbulbs enablespatient care Ash Kalraiya, CEO of MediShout, discusses how unresolved facilities issues can impact patient care and staff morale and how MediShout is helping A s a junior doctor I witnessed hospital infrastructure and logistical problems that prevented the best patient care. In one instance, a broken theatre light bulb forced me to cancel an operation. In another case, a faulty printer meant I had to pause an operation on an anaesthetised patient. Without a centralised system to report problems with facilities or equipment, people who log an issue might not know their request has been received, if it was previously reported and, importantly, when it is likely to be fixed. MediShout is an easy-to-use app with cloud-based technology that enables hospital staff to report issues quickly and flag any logistical problems that would otherwise delay them. An algorithm ensures the correct person, or group, gets the information needed so they can fix the issue as soon as possible. We also use artificial intelligence to help predict future problems in hospitals. All this helps improve efficiencies Oneythirdof NHSnurses waste two hours per shift finding missing equipment, which equates 1 to90mofwagesannually. and prevents delays, enabling better care and cost savings. From local innovation to national need I was one of a handful of innovators at an Eastern AHSN estates and facilities innovation exchange event, which showcased promising innovations to local providers and UsingMediShout, West commissioners. Hearing other people pitch their ideas and advice Hertfordshire Hospitals from the Eastern AHSN team helped me further recognise where NHS Trust saved the issues lie and how MediShout fits into the ecosystem. 15 minsper Eastern AHSN also introduced me to their contacts at Clinical stajmember Engineering Innovation (CEI) based at Addenbrookes Hospital for daily feedback, support and refinement of the product. Additionally, Eastern AHSN supported the completion of a health economic assessment to evaluate how MediShout would benefit local services. This assessment found that MediShout could improve staff morale by giving them greater control over their environment and preventing wasted time. In addition, it also estimated that through improved time efficiencies, reduced delays and avoided cancellations, MediShout could annually save NHS Trusts 1 million in efficiency savings and 135,670 in direct cash savings. If MediShout were to reduce 10% of cancelled operations, the assessment estimated it could save the NHS approximately 30 million a year. The assessment was used as evidence to secure MediShout one of only 11 places on the NHS Innovation Accelerator programme a NHS England initiative delivered in partnership with the AHSN Network. The NHS Innovation Accelerator was instrumental for two reasons. First, the exposure helped demonstrate the effectiveness and impact of MediShout. Second, the mentorship programme provided an opportunity to discuss our ideas with other innovators in a similar position. Finding the right partnerships As an innovator, the multiplier effect is particularly important. It is clear the medical industry, trusts, innovators and Eastern AHSN are all well connected and tapping into that is a huge advantage. Knowing the right people is crucial too. Senior stakeholders and the executive board are integral in creating organisational improvements. The effect of the health economic assessment was huge and enabled doors to open for us. This demonstrates the importance of working with organisations like Eastern AHSN that understand the healthcare system and how to push your innovation forward. Nursing Times., (2009). Nurses waste an hour a shift finding equipment. Nursing Times. [Viewed 18th June 2020]. Available from https://www.nursingtimes.net/archive/ nurses-waste-an-hour-a-shift-findingequipment-10-02-2009/ 1 Reference Getintouch Share this article Do you have a great idea that could make a positive health impact? Discover how we could support you at EasternAHSN.org Visit medishout.co.uk