19.11.19
Digital maternity notes introduced in NHS Highland
NHS Highland have introduced the roll out of entirely digital medical notes for pregnant women being cared for in NHS Highland hospitals.
Expectant mums and their health professionals will now be able to access their medical notes through a PC, tablet or mobile device through a secure online portal or maternity notes system.
The system, known as BadgerNet, puts all of the health data of a patient into their palm of their hands at the click of a button, making it more accessible and cutting down on paper waste.
Information on blood test results, appointment reminders and scan reports can all be accessed through the secure, digital record. It comes as part of the health board’s move toward Electronic Patients Record.
The pilot scheme went live yesterday (Nov 18) in Argyll and Bute but all community services in north Highland will benefit from it from Dec 2 and will reach Raigmore Hospital by January 2020.
Benefits of these digital measures include ease of access and transport, more security of information and direct sharing to users from the maternity system.
It will also mean that midwives will not have to double enter data on paper notes as well and records can be updated easily at the click of a button.
The system gives pregnant women the opportunity to add additional information for their midwives to see and support them through pregnancy or birth plan preferences, including allergies or other health issues.
NHS Highland’s Interim Head of Midwifery Mary Burnside said:
“The introduction of digital notes is a step forward for our service in a number of different ways. A secure login for access ensures peace of mind for mothers, as only the mothers themselves or qualified healthcare professionals are able to read their record.
“Maternity notes will not need to be carried - preventing them getting lost - and the new digital format provides easy access for mothers wherever they might be; even if they are in another country, all that is required is a connection and login.
“This is a great development for NHS Highland and we are so pleased to be able to provide this service for expectant mothers who choose to come to our hospitals for the birth of their babies. BadgerNet should make life easier for both mothers and healthcare workers; bringing our maternity services forward and enhancing accessibility and data security.”