Looked After Child (LAC) codes are used in EMIS Web to identify children who are under the care of local authorities. When these codes are applied, they trigger an automatic warning in the patient's record, alerting healthcare providers to the child's status and ensuring that extra care and attention are provided. This feature is crucial as it supports safeguarding efforts and ensures that LAC status is prominently and consistently highlighted across all healthcare interactions, wherever they occur.
Regional Differences: England vs. Scotland
In England, Looked After Child (LAC) codes are displayed with a specific icon on both the standard and expanded patient précis, ensuring visibility to all healthcare professionals interacting with the child's record. In Scotland, these codes are denoted as Looked After and Accommodated Child (LAAC). The LAAC code indicates a more specific status under Scottish law, differentiating children who are not only under care but also provided with accommodation.
"The automated display of LAC and LAAC status helps healthcare teams immediately recognise the care requirements of children under local authority supervision, enhancing safety and service delivery."
Benefits of Automatic LAC Warnings
The automatic triggering of warnings when LAC codes are inputted not only saves clinicians time but also supports the provision of tailored healthcare interventions. This system ensures that critical status updates are not missed across different healthcare settings, promoting continuity of care for vulnerable children.
