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Sunday, May 20, 2012
 
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Individual Funding Request (IFR)

In the current NHS working environment, the Individual Funding Request process has taken on a new importance. To succeed it must: 

  • manage and control budgets to ensure maximum value for money; 
  • add value and support to clinicians and patients; 
  • provide information to aid effective panel review of requests and implement and influence best practice. 
Blueteq is delivering and enhancing IFR solutions that provide the flexibility and ease of use that the modern healthcare professional demands.

Complete IFR Solution
The Individual Funding Request (IFR) system is designed as a total solution to monitor requests from their inception from clinicians, though the panel stages to final invoice matching. The solution is made up of two modules covering High Cost and PbRe Drugs and Low Priority Procedures (LPP), Prior Approval and Treatments Not Routinely Funded (TNRF).

Replacing paper based processes
Traditionally these processes are managed via extensive paper and spreadsheet processes with an accompanying high level of e-mail traffic to support communication and document transfers. Typically, 50% of IFRs require some follow up action, requiring letters, e-mails and forms to be recorded against the patient placing further strain on resources. 

Request history and electronic document storage
The Blueteq IFR system provides a complete patient history storing and displaying all information and documentation in one place in a paperless environment. No filing is required and all vital data is immediately to hand. E-mails can be sent directly from the system, including attachments, to further facilitate processing.  

The Blueteq IFR system means that you have complete visibility of all requests, their current status and value. All the communication and documents held on the system are available for subsequent review and the system provides a full patient history on a single screen with all associated documentation and notes immediately to hand.

Reporting
A full range of reports are available on demand to help prioritise work-loads, ensure that all requests are processed in a timely manner and within the target timescales and all follow up actions are captured.

Invoice matching and challenging
The invoice matching facility has proven to save staff days of time per month. Additionally, challenges to invoices are more easily performed as the system will highlight those requests where the patient is unknown, a request has been declined, there is no record of a request for a patient, the patient is outside the area or follow up/review of treatment is required.

Summary
This best of practice approach and system has delivered proven benefits to its users including:
  • Online submission by clinicians and GPs cuts down on inputting mistakes and missing data.
  • Patient History displays all information and documentation in one place in a paperless medium
  • No filing required and all vital data is immediately available to hand.
  • An automated process to enable patients to be followed up in a timely manner
  • Ensure use of PbRe drugs and LPPs is in line with NICE / locally commissioned criteria.
  • The automatic matching of invoices to requests is executed in minutes, saves up to a day in staff time for each invoice and is much more accurate.
  • Production of vital reports takes minutes instead of hours to produce.
  • Blueteq IFR system is available on demand
  • No software to install and maintain locally
  • No expensive initial licence fees and ongoing maintenance – a simple subscription basis