Revolutionising Patient Care: KFM and King's College Hospital collaborate on Apollo Programme
Since June 2022, KFM has been supporting King's College Hospital on the Apollo Programme, an innovative partnership working towards delivering transformative enhancements in patient care, through a new Electronic Health Record system, Epic.
Equipment and machinery stored at the KFM warehouse, and transit of Vital Signs Monitors
With the system set to launch in October 2023, King's enlisted the help of KFM's Corporate and Capital Procurement team to procure £3.5 million worth of essential medical diagnostic equipment, from 825 Vital Signs Monitors (VSMs) to 182 Electrocardiograms (ECGs), as well procuring a further £3 million of new software/hardware and support to transition and decommission legacy systems.
The collaboration persevered with KFM's Logistics team navigating the delivery and storage of thousands of pieces of equipment, ensuring that all components arrived at the right time, keeping the project on track to meet the October 2023 Apollo go-live date. Despite challenges posed by suppliers and external factors, the partnership remained steadfast, even coordinating the shipment and assembly of equipment from China and the US.
Julie Dinning, ICT Business Manager, said: "For the Apollo Programme, we needed an additional 12,000 pieces of equipment – everything from bar code scanners and PCs to sizeable 55-inch screens, laptops, and printers – posing significant challenges. Gavin and his team rose to the occasion and not only stored the equipment but also integrated it into their new stock control system, and despite last-minute panics and delivery challenges, often within 24 to 48 hours' notice, they handled it with remarkable ease, finding solutions and ensuring deliveries were executed seamlessly. KFM logistics as a whole have consistently delivered, often going beyond the call of duty, from storage and swapping out equipment. They have been an invaluable asset throughout this journey."
Michael Ayers, Clinical Scientist at King's, added: “KFM has been highly supportive of MEMS during the process of rolling out both non-invasive Blood Pressure (NIBP) monitoring systems, and ECGs during the Trust wide Apollo roll-out. The team have been incredibly flexible with regards to the storage of excess equipment within their warehouse. We have also found their assistance in assembling and delivering equipment according to our requirements, to have been excellent during this busy time.”
KFM's implementation of an effective procurement process during the Apollo Programme journey, has led to the realisation of approximately £1 million in efficiency savings, and through robust negotiations, the team have been able to secure improved warranties and more beneficial ongoing maintenance costs for all equipment procured.
David Kayondo, Commercial Procurement Partner at KFM, explained: “These savings have not only translated into tangible cost reductions but have also liberated valuable resources, enabling the Trust to redirect efforts towards other strategic growth initiatives and value-added activities. By benchmarking against what other Trusts were doing, and involving our own stakeholders from finance, operations, and Logistics, we promoted a more holistic approach that aligned efficiency goals with broader organisational objectives.”
This strategic partnership serves as a testament to the power of synergy between KFM and King's, highlighting their joint commitment to innovation and excellence in healthcare, and creating a transformative impact on healthcare practices.