Innovative new digitally-driven care for those suffering from high blood pressure after giving birth has been recognised with a shortlisting for a national award.
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust’s ‘Digital Postnatal Hypertension Pathway’ has been chosen as a finalist in the ‘Improving Out of Hospital Care’ category at this year’s Health Service Journal (HSJ) Digital Awards.
The new pathway uses the latest technology of digital tools, remote monitoring, and telemedicine so that new mothers with hypertension (high blood pressure) can be supported in the ‘virtual ward’ environment of their own home.
They receive a remote health monitoring device which captures their range of cardiorespiratory measurements, together with advice on how to use and record it, and when to seek medical attention. The virtual ward team, together with link GPs, are on hand for support for the patient when needed.
The aim of the pathway is to improve health outcomes, make better use of health resources, reduce hospital admissions, and help to ensure parents can be in their own home sooner.
Just over 50 mothers have been on the pathway in the six months after it was introduced, and hospital stays have been reduced from an average of 3.26 days to 2.34 days.
Feedback has been excellent. One mother said: “I was very pleased with the care which meant I could go home earlier as I didn’t have to be monitored in hospital, which meant I got to spend more precious moments at home with the baby.’
Dr Lyndsey Brandwood leads on the new pathway. She says it empowers women to have a better understanding of their own condition, getting them out of hospital and into an environment they are comfortable in. Women are provided with various resources, including an information leaflet which explains blood pressure and how to manage it.
Dr Brandwood said: “We have seen the value of this from a patient perspective, in addition to the clinical and financial benefits, women are just really glad to be at home in their own environment as soon as possible with their newborn.”
Nic Firth, Chief Nurse for Stockport NHS Foundation Trust said: “It is fantastic testimony to the work of the virtual ward team and their use of technology that they can enable new mothers to receive the care and support that they need in their own homes. They truly deserve their position as finalists in the HSJ Digital Awards and we wish them all best for the ceremony.”
The winners of the HSJ Digital Awards will be announced at a ceremony at the ICC Birmingham on 26th June.