As part of a review, (being conducted by the National Audit Office (NAO)), into how data can be used differently within the NHS, BSUH agreed to work with Lightfoot Solutions UK Limited in order to determine if the methods and tools that Lightfoot use would aid the Trust in managing certain day to day activities.

The initial data analysis was performed on data relating to the in patient pathway that was readily available within the Trust's CDS extract.  Having obtained the data with minimal effort required by the Trust, Lightfoot consultants used their proprietary software signalsfromnoise® (sfn) to rapidly analyse the data from a number of perspectives including, but not limited to, the following:

• Mortality;
• Length of Stay;
• Re-admissions; and
• Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions.

The findings from the review were presented to both BSUH and the NAO and all parties concluded that the insights being provided were over and above what had been expected.  BSUH recognised the value of the insights and have since commissioned Lightfoot to not only carry out a Rapid Pilot of sfn but also to work with them to further understand and to identify the root causes of some of the issues identified.