DXS, an independent digital healthcare firm, has achieved revolutionary results with the deployment of its SMART referral forms to an NHS Infertility Service. These cutting-edge digital tools are designed to streamline the referral process, ensuring timely and efficient access to specialised healthcare services. Since the implementation of the forms, waiting times have been cut in half, now down to 22 weeks from over 44 weeks.
A recent independent financial impact analysis by Health Tech Enterprise underscores the practical advantages of DXS’s SMART Referral Forms. Part-financed by Health Innovation East, the investigation highlights significant efficiency benefits and financial returns for healthcare providers.
Djavid Alleemudder, an Obs and Gynae consultant specialising in infertility in Suffolk and North East Essex, emphasised the strain these challenges placed on his team. Couples endured waits of 44 weeks or more, only to face rejection for this time-sensitive, specialised service. He stressed that inappropriate referrals caused profound heartache for couples, raising concerns far beyond mere organisational issues.
Alleemudder said: “Drawing from my experience, it was evident that we required a distinct approach. Making specific fields mandatory and introducing a revamped referral form were crucial steps in our strategy.”
Since the release of the new SMART Infertility Form in August 2021, Djavid and his team demonstrated significant improvements in the Infertility Service, including reduced inappropriate referrals, waiting times and administrative burdens. The results revealed that the number of inappropriate referrals received has fallen to 0% down from 36% previously, but equally as astonishing, waiting times have been halved, reduced to 22 weeks from over 44 weeks.
Alleemudder explained that the updated SMART Infertility Referral Form has transformed his infertility services. He said: “It’s not only helped us to gain an in-depth analysis of what was going wrong, but it’s delivered results that change lives, and makes our service to our patients much more efficient, which is life changing in our sector, and what we do.”