Smarter EHR for the General Medicine Department with Cellma
Table of Contents Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Table of Contents In today’s fast-paced healthcare landscape, the General Medicine department is under unprecedented pressure. With rising patient volumes, complex comorbidities, and a growing need for coordinated care across specialties, the demand for a robust and efficient Electronic Health Record (EHR) system is more crucial than ever. In 2023–24, NHS England reported over 41 million outpatient attendances, with over 9.6 million first-time appointments and 2.9 million remote consultations, a large proportion under General Medicine departments. Whether managing frailty in elderly patients or diagnosing unexplained systemic symptoms, General Medicine is the backbone of acute and internal care. Enter Cellma, a fully integrated, NHS-aligned EHR platform designed to meet the clinical and administrative complexities of the General Medicine department. In addition to high patient volumes and acute admissions, General Medicine departments across the UK are managing an increasing burden of chronic diseases. According to data from over 12 million patients in NHS primary care, approximately 21% of adults are living with obesity, while 17% are diagnosed with depression. Hypertension affects around 15–18% of patients, asthma around 15%, and anxiety disorders over 13%. Musculoskeletal conditions like osteoarthritis impact 11–12%, while diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease are present in around 5% of cases each. Coronary heart disease affects another 5%, and COPD is recorded in approximately 2.7% of adult patients. With such a wide range of overlapping conditions, the clinical complexity faced by General Medicine departments is immense and Cellma is built to support every step of that journey. NHS Integration and Clinical Compliance Cellma is designed to align with all NHS integration standards and clinical guidelines, ensuring seamless functionality within public health systems. Cellma supports: NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS) for outpatient and urgent care bookings Summary Care Record (SCR) access Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) GP Connect for real-time data exchange with general practice HL7, DICOM, and FHIR standards for lab, imaging, and third-party interoperability NHS England’s Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) framework Compliance with NHS England’s 14-hour review target for emergency admissions This ensures that Cellma not only improves clinical care delivery but also adheres to national performance targets and interoperability mandates, critical for the General Medicine department. Clinical Conditions Managed in General Medicine and How Cellma Assists Clinical Condition How Cellma Assists the General Medicine Department Heart Failure (HFrEF, HFpEF, HFmrEF) – Integration with BNP, ECG, and echocardiography for diagnosis – Structured documentation for NYHA class and daily fluid balance – ePrescribing modules for ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, and diuretics – Automated alerts for renal function monitoring – Heart failure nurse referrals and follow-up scheduling Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) – Real-time integration with pulse oximetry and ABG values – Spirometry result logging and GOLD classification templates – Oxygen therapy protocols and long-term home oxygen alerts – Exacerbation tracking and respiratory MDT referrals – Smoking cessation counselling and pulmonary rehab scheduling Ischaemic Heart Disease & Hypertension – ECG integration with immediate access to reports – QRISK2 calculators and statin eligibility prompts – Automated tracking of BP readings and antihypertensive therapies – ePrescribing tools with drug interaction alerts – Cross-specialty referral to cardiology when indicated Diabetes Mellitus (Type 1 & 2) – HbA1c trends and insulin titration dashboards – Alerts for annual foot exams and retinopathy referrals – Renal function monitoring (eGFR, ACR) integrated with care plans – Diabetes-specific care pathways including dietician and podiatry referrals – TTOs and discharge planning including diabetes nurse input Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) – eGFR tracking with automated staging alerts – Fluid restriction and electrolyte replacement protocols – Medication safety alerts (e.g., nephrotoxic drugs) – Renal dietician and nephrology referral pathways – Coordination with dialysis planning and transplant units Pneumonia & Sepsis – CURB-65 scoring tool embedded in the clerking template – Sepsis 6 bundle checklist with timestamped action logs – Escalation alerts based on NEWS2 and vitals – Documentation of antimicrobial stewardship and response monitoring – Critical care referral and sepsis MDT documentation support Falls, Delirium & Frailty Syndromes – Frailty Index and Rockwood scoring tools – 4AT screening for delirium with behavioural tracking – Falls risk assessments and PT/OT referrals – Integrated MDT forms for rehab and care home planning – Advance care planning (DNAR, TEP) and community liaison Multisystem Syndromes (e.g. Vasculitis, PUO, Lupus) – Complex case tracking with symptom timelines and diagnostic flows – Auto-flagging of abnormal labs (CRP, ANA, ESR, cultures) – Integration of biopsy results and second opinions via document management – MDT discussion logs with input from rheumatology, neurology, ID – Custom templates for ongoing immunosuppressive therapy and monitoring Tackling the Real Challenges of General Medicine with Cellma 1. High Patient Flow Management General Medicine is often the first point of care for emergency admissions. Cellma supports: Streamlined Patient Registration & Triage at the AMU or MAU Structured Clerking Templates for rapid and complete documentation Queue & Bed Management Dashboards for real-time tracking Integration with early warning scores and escalation pathways 2. Time-Pressured Documentation Doctors frequently lose time creating discharge summaries and chasing investigations. Cellma offers: Auto-populated eDischarge Summaries with coded diagnoses, meds, investigations, and follow-up Investigation Tracking Panels that flag pending and urgent results Speech-to-text documentation tools for hands-free entries Built-in clinical calculators (CHA₂DS₂-VASc, CURB-65, Wells Score) 3. Multidisciplinary Coordination Delayed transfers due to social care gaps can block hospital flow. Cellma connects the entire care ecosystem by: Including Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, and Physios in the MDT interface Enabling shared care plans with Community Services and Virtual Ward Teams Allowing GP handovers with attached documents, TTOs, and alerts With Cellma, the General Medicine department can avoid unnecessary readmissions by ensuring patients are discharged with appropriate community-based support. Comprehensive Modules Supporting General Medicine Cellma delivers an end-to-end ecosystem that supports the entire care continuum: EHR & Clinical Notes: Custom templates for clerking, daily reviews, MDT meetings, and care plans Patient Administration System (PAS): Manages referrals, ward transfers, and discharge scheduling Laboratory Integration: Auto-imports bloods, urine, and microbiology results Imaging Integration: DICOM-compatible for instant access to
Your Guide to COPD Risk Factors, Symptoms, and Managing the Condition
Table of Contents Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Table of Contents Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive lung condition that makes breathing difficult over time. It includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, both of which cause lasting damage to the lungs. As one of the leading causes of death globally, COPD affects millions and puts a significant strain on patients and healthcare systems. Early recognition and management are key to better outcomes. Managing a chronic condition like COPD doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, or clinician, Cellmaflex supports you at every stage, allowing users to book online appointments without phone calls, access their medical history anytime and anywhere, and find nearby doctors, labs, imaging centres, and pharmacies. A single digital platform designed to make your COPD care easier, helping you stay informed, engaged, and proactive. In this blog, we will get into what COPD is, global impact of COPD, significant COPD risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. We will also take a look at prevention and when to ask for help, as well as how Cellmaflex supports all aspects of your COPD care journey. Why Does COPD Demand Our Attention COPD is a progressive and terminal lung disease that is distinguished by a chronic inflammatory response in the lungs and persistent limitation of airflow. It’s not simply a ‘smoker’s cough’. The WHO over 3.3 million deaths globally were attributable to COPD in 2019, making it the third leading cause of death worldwide. It is estimated that COPD affects more than 390 million people globally, with prevalence rates continuing to rise, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where underdiagnosis is common. Notably, over 90% of COPD-related deaths occur in these regions, driven by factors such as air pollution, biomass fuel exposure, and limited access to healthcare. In some areas, studies estimate that up to 1 in 5 adults over age 40 may be living with undiagnosed COPD. What is COPD? Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. The major clinical entities that form the definition of COPD are: Chronic bronchitis: long term inflammation of the bronchi with daily cough and sputum production. Emphysema: destruction of the walls of the air sacs (alveoli) that cause air trapping (dead space), impaired gas exchange and reduced elastic recoil of the lung. Pathophysiology: the underlying mechanism of COPD is chronic airway and alveolar inflammation, based on an irritant (predominantly cigarette smoke) exposure. With time, it results in: Goblet cell hyperplasia and mucus hyperproduction Loss of cilia and decreased mucociliary clearance Bronchial wall thickening and narrowing Alveolar destruction (emphysema) Pulmonary vascular remodelling The result is airflow limitation that is not fully reversible, distinguishing COPD from asthma. Pulmonary function deteriorates progressively, eventually leading to respiratory failure. Who Is at Risk? Understanding COPD Risk Factors Knowing the COPD risk factors is essential to prevent or delay disease onset. While smoking remains the most significant factor, COPD can and does occur in non-smokers too. Smoking (Primary Risk Factor) Tobacco smoke is responsible for up to 70% of COPD cases in high-income countries. Both current and former smokers are at risk. Passive smoke exposure can also contribute, especially in children. Environmental and Occupational Exposures Air pollution, biomass fuel smoke, and second-hand smoke are major concerns in developing countries. Occupational exposure to dusts, vapours, and chemical fumes (e.g. mining, construction, manufacturing) are strong COPD risk factors. Genetic Factors Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a rare but important inherited risk factor. It leads to early-onset emphysema in non-smokers. Asthma and Early-life Respiratory Illnesses Individuals with a history of asthma, recurrent childhood respiratory infections, or low birth weight have a higher likelihood of developing COPD. Age and Gender COPD is more common in people over 40, but emerging data suggests increasing prevalence in women, likely due to rising smoking rates and heightened sensitivity to pollutants. By identifying these COPD risk factors, patients can take preventive steps early. With Cellmaflex, individuals can book routine check-ups, pulmonary screenings, and genetic tests with respiratory specialists without delay. Signs and Symptoms of COPD The early symptoms of COPD can be subtle and are often dismissed as part of ageing or poor fitness. However, recognising these signs can lead to earlier intervention. Key Symptoms Include: Chronic cough (with or without mucus production) Dyspnoea (shortness of breath), initially on exertion, eventually even at rest Wheezing Chest tightness Frequent lower respiratory tract infections Fatigue and exercise intolerance Weight loss in later stages due to increased work of breathing The progressive nature of symptoms underscores the importance of early management. With Cellmaflex, patients can track their symptoms, access imaging and lab reports, and communicate with clinicians remotely for quicker intervention. Diagnosing COPD: Clinical and Functional Approach Accurate diagnosis is vital not only to initiate therapy but also to rule out mimicking conditions like asthma, bronchiectasis, and heart failure. Diagnostic Approach: Medical History & Physical Examination: Focus on smoking history, occupational exposures, and symptom duration. Spirometry: Gold standard. Post-bronchodilator FEV₁/FVC ratio <0.70 confirms airflow limitation. Chest Imaging: X-rays or CT scans reveal hyperinflation, flattened diaphragms, or bullae (especially in emphysema). Arterial Blood Gas (ABG): Assesses oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in advanced disease. Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Testing: Recommended in younger patients (<45 years) or those with no smoking history. Lab Tests: Rule out anaemia, infections, or assess comorbid conditions like heart failure. Cellmaflex makes the entire diagnostic process more seamless, facilitating referrals, viewing results online, and keeping track of spirometry data over time. Living With COPD: Treatment and Long-Term Management While COPD has no cure, treatment focuses on symptom relief, slowing disease progression, and improving quality of life. A. Lifestyle Modifications Smoking cessation: The most effective intervention to slow progression. Cellmaflex can help patients locate cessation programs or nearby pharmacies for nicotine replacement therapy. Avoid triggers: Reducing exposure to dust, fumes, and allergens. Nutritional support: Especially important for underweight patients or those with muscle wasting. Exercise: Pulmonary rehab improves dyspnoea and stamina. B. Pharmacological Therapy Bronchodilators: Short-acting and long-acting
