Is scanning an essential part of data accreditation?
The complete capture of data concerning the patient (being recorded in the electronic healthcare record) is the essential part of data accreditation. The data should be stored in such a way that it can be shared without losing its context. How the data actually gets into the record is of secondary importance. Assessors will be looking for evidence of effective procedures and protocols for updating patient records from all sources entering the practice. The crucial thing is that appropriate information from hospital letters etc. gets coded into the computer record. To achieve Component 2 of the DES, practices must have been accredited as paperlight by their PCT. Scanning is not mandatory, though it is very common. The main concern is that the transfer of data contained within the letters to the patient record is complete and, where appropriate, coded correctly.
