About Key Information Summaries

In Scotland, the Key Information Summary (KIS) allows clinical information from the GP electronic record (currently Vision or EMIS) to be shared across different parts of NHS Scotland.

KIS is part of the Emergency Care Summary (ECS). ECS contains the medication and allergy record, KIS lists current medical diagnoses, essential contacts, palliative care summary if relevant (PCS), and the KIS ‘Special Notes’.

When a KIS is completed, individual patient records are activated for sharing from within the GP clinical system, and users of other clinical systems and portals can view this information. Although information can only be added through the GP clinical system, the whole multidisciplinary team who support the patient should understand and contribute towards the development of the KIS. Whilst not in itself a future care plan, the KIS can be used to share important care planning information that supports person-centred approaches to care.

This guidance has been developed to support GP practices to manage the increased numbers of KIS.