The generalised theme in pregnancy is carrying. Not only does our mother-to-be carry her baby around, in many healthcare systems we expect her to carry a growing set of records AT-ALL-TIMES.
Maternity records seem to have posed a bit of a dilemma for quite some time now. It is a medical record, hence care providers would like to keep it, but it is a record about the pregnant mum and her growing baby, which she may need at any point, so she too would like to have it. However, carrying this sizeable book around for an average of 280 days, expecting nothing to happen to it, or even to remember it at all times is not a very practical idea.
Having an online version of the maternity records has always seemed to be an obvious solution, but that is so much easier said than done. The ideal solution would be a secure filing system that links health providers (globally), and be accessible to the pregnant mum. Ideally, it should communicate with the hospital's computer database, GP system, and emergency services.
Unfortunately, such a system does not yet exist. However, what we would like to provide is a secure platform where the information in the maternity records are accessible from anywhere in the world, at anytime. The obvious link to all of this is simply you , our pregnant mother-to-be.
The record is an online file that you have access to at all times. You would be able to generate a code for individuals to be able to temporarily read your records, or add encounter summaries. Once an encounter has been entered, a print out can be generated to be stuck/stapled into your notes if your midwife/doctor insists on a hard copy, or if they would like to keep a copy in your hospital records.
We do recognise that not all healthcare providers will agree to filling your online record. You would be able to upload copies of written encounters, or investigation results into your file, hence again keeping information in one place aiming to ensure no risk factors are missed. You will need to document any concerns raised, and that will be added to your pregnancy summary.
The record includes:
This captures the medical status at the beginning of pregnancy. It provides the basis upon which maternity staff would be tailoring care, and highlights any risk factors identified or markers to look out for.
This will consist of the encounters that you would have with your care team. Encounters are sorted chronologically, with each encounter having an outcome stating No concers / concerns identified. Any risks or concerns would automatically populate a pregnancy summary list to ensure that risks are not missed when you are seen at any point.
This would include your personal plan for delivery and any recommendations made by your team. Again, this is provided to ensure that none of your concerns or risk factors that had been identified during pregnancy are missed.
Once you have delivered, you can upload a summary of the events of your delivery, including any copies of operative details.
This is a section to record any advice or recommendations you are given after your delivery.
This is a summary of events for the 6 - 8 weeks after your delivery.
You can download a backup copy of your pregnancy record, or print out what you need from your record at any time.
After 6 weeks from your delivery, the pregnancy will be archived within your file, as a previous pregnancy episode. You can add new episodes for any future pregnancies; however, you can only have one active pregnancy episode at a time.
Providing care for our ladies is what gets us out of bed every morning. It keeps us working for long hours during the day and up through the night. We have dedicated our life to this task.
How many times have we been faced by the lady who felt unwell at work and her colleagues have brought her to the nearest hospital; only, you know nothing about her. She is not booked here, or even booked here but as she is coming from work, has not brought her notes.
How many times have you sat in the busy antenatal clinic and been told that she has forgotten to bring her notes, or has forgotten them on the bus on her way here. How many times have we been overwhelmed by the size of the medical records; trying to plough through them hoping we don't miss anything important.
We expect women to carry an A4-sized book around for 9 months, with loose sheets of paper being added left, right and centre; keeping it on them At-All-Times, yet keeping it in good condition. Do we think this is a realistic goal?
What we provide here is a secure electronic record for patients, to be used by all maternity staff. For staff it provides a way of documenting encounters that can then be printed, and the hard-copy put in the maternity notes.
It keeps track of your personal encounters and requested investigations, reminding you to look up the results, and provides a mean for sending / notifying the patient of the result.
It allows you to keep a record of all the procedure details you have performed, and their outcomes. You can keep a log of all feedback you have received.
A major role in our everyday job is to educate our women, and advise them on their pregnancy. We present you with an opportunity to be part of our community, and provide evidence-based advice for our women. All submitted articles will be reviewed, and your references checked for strength of evidence; Accepted articles will be published on the 'Expecting-mothers Guide' page under your name.
Maternity records management is available to subscribed users.
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