Expectant mums to get digital access to NHS Highland maternity notes; system will slash paperwork
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Pregnant women being cared for in NHS Highland hospitals are now able to access their maternity medical notes digitally via a PC, tablet or mobile device.
Available to both expectant mums and to their health professionals, the new digital maternity notes system known as BadgerNet is available both as a secure online portal and the Maternity Notes app.
Through BadgerNet both healthcare professionals and pregnant women can now have access to the necessary clinical information they require from anywhere there is internet coverage – all at the touch of a button.
The secure digital record replaces the board’s old paper handheld maternity notes including details of any blood test results; reminders about appointments; and scan reports.
This development is part of the health board’s move toward and electronic patients record.
The BadgerNet system will be rolled out in a phased approach beginning with Argyll and Bute today before it goes live across community services in north Highland on Monday, December 2 and in Raigmore Hospital in January 2020.
While health professionals will have their own laptops, expectant mums will be able to access BadgerNet using their own PC, tablet or mobile device. All they need to do to is login using their secure password and username, and everything is there at their fingertips.
BadgerNet’s maternity notes will replace the old paper handheld notes, meaning that notes are easier to access and transport and can be kept more secure, NHS Highland says.
Information can be shared with users directly from the maternity system and records can be easily updated at each maternity visit or appointment.
Midwives do not have to double enter data onto paper handheld notes as well as the electronic systems and only those with the correct login details are able to access the notes.
The system also uses ignificantly less paper, reducing unnecessary waste and the impact it has on the environment.
Pregnant women are also welcome to add information so that the healthcare professionals supporting their pregnancy can be made aware of any preferences regarding their birth plan. For example, it will be possible to add information about allergies and other relevant health issues prior to booking.
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.”
