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Implementing A Framework for Maternity Services in Scotland

Information Management and Technology

1. The use of information technology in health care has grown very quickly in recent years. Its value in improving information management, communication and education within maternity services in Scotland is yet to be realised, but some innovative projects and initiatives are underway elsewhere in the NHS, for example, assisting diagnosis, treatment and patient care in remote and rural areas.

2. The potential IT offers in developing professionals' competencies and knowledge, reviewing and auditing practice and facilitating access to important information for women cannot be ignored.

3. A priority for services must be access to accurate and up-to-date information in health care. Information management processes need to be reviewed within maternity services. Audit of practice, in particular, should be based on new and innovative approaches involving information technology.

Principles

5.1 Maternity services should initiate or further develop ongoing audit in relation to:

  • modes of delivery of maternity services by location
  • clinical outcomes for mothers and babies
  • comprehensive transfer data
  • critical incidence reporting
  • complaints procedure
  • litigation costs.

5.2 The Scottish Executive should facilitate the development of a national core dataset for feto-maternal medicine.

4. Information technology and telemedicine (a system for allowing the public and health professionals access to medical information and care via electronic means) also offer exciting opportunities in the field of education, particularly in remote and rural areas. Maternity services should explore their potential in helping professionals to communicate with, and learn from, each other, and for accessing important educational material and information to develop practice.

Principles

5.3 Maternity services should explore the role of information technology and telemedicine in relation to:

  • training and education
  • developing professional support networks
  • developing clinical skills through, for instance, workshops, simulation laboratories and mannequins, computer-aided programmes for rehearsal of emergency responses and procedures
  • using video conferencing in direct patient care
  • communicating within regional and clinical networks regarding advice, referral, transfer and network information
  • transmitting medical diagnostic images, such as cardiotocograph (CTG) recordings, ultrasound scans and other test results.

5.4 The use of information technology and telemedicine should be developed, especially in remote and rural and isolated communities, to enhance communication, service provision and education.

 

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