Using technology on the journey to outstanding maternity care at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NNUH) has chosen the Perfect Ward mobile solution to help define and implement the Trust’s radical new quality programme. The primary aim is to define a tailored set of evidence-based metrics to transform performance across the entire Maternity Care Pathway.
NNUH has moved from a paper-based auditing system, to measuring quality improvements digitally. The results show the Perfect Ward solution has helped to halve the time needed to perform audits while empowering staff to deliver outstanding maternity care across the pathway.
Yvonne Christley, Deputy Chief Nurse at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust commented, “For us the biggest benefit of using Perfect Ward is its ability to capture everything visually and the tagging functionality is great. At a glance, we can see metrics for every part of the maternity care pathway, by division and across the whole organisation.
It gives us rich and vivid data that is simple and easy to interpret. Audits can be now be done in half the time, hugely important when our target for audits is 20 minutes during this critical first phase. We could never have embarked on such an ambitious programme without an effective digital system like Perfect Ward.”
While eliminating the heavy administrative burden associated with auditing and giving staff extra time to look after patients, the transparency of the Perfect Ward mobile solution empowers staff by promoting accountability. Staff have truly engaged with the technology because they see the immediate results of their audits and are keen to share their success stories.
Alan Birch, Chief Commercial Officer at Perfect Ward added, “Perfect Ward's solution is perfectly designed to support bespoke and transformational quality programmes across NHS hospitals and all health and social care environments in these challenging times. Using mobile devices, managers have complete control of their quality metrics on the move, can view the results of live audits as they are completed and make meaningful improvements accordingly. For frontline staff, our technology is a powerful motivational tool making their roles easier, more engaging and helping to unleash their full potential.”
The next step for NNUH is to test the new metrics and gain valuable patient feedback by involving the mothers themselves. December 2020 sees the launch of the Maternity Department’s first Continuity of Care Team with the goal of having one full audit across the entire patient journey. Until now, nurses typically carried out their own individual audits for the mothers in their care. However, the success of the new project has inspired the team to utilise audits as a valuable vehicle for sharing learning and outstanding practice, along with areas that may require improvement.
Professor Nancy Fontaine, Chief Nurse at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust concluded, “Working with Perfect Ward is a pleasure. We benefit from an excellent working relationship and great communication allowing us to adapt our audits as required. I would have no hesitation in advocating Perfect Ward for its ease of use and powerful reporting to other organisations.”
NNUH expects to share the results of the next phase of its quality programme in the near future. For updates and the opportunity to participate in a webinar, visit Perfect Ward
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About Norfolk & Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Norfolk & Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NNUH) carries out nearly 1 million outpatient appointments, day case procedures and inpatient admissions annually.
It predominantly serves the people of Norfolk and north Suffolk, although some patients are referred from further afield especially to access specialist services available at the Trust.
More than 8,000 staff and a dedicated team of 600 volunteers care and provide support for patients who are referred to NNUH by around 100 local GP practices and from other acute hospitals and from GPs around the country.
For more information, visit Norfolk & Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
About Perfect Ward
Perfect Ward is a specialist provider in digital quality improvement and safety solutions across health, aged and social care. Working with leading organisations in the UK, Australia, South Africa and the Middle East, Perfect Ward is designed to make health and quality inspections easier and more efficient. Using Perfect Ward empowers frontline staff to take ownership of quality and frees up time to care.
Working across hospitals, operating theatres, pharmacies, ambulance services, care homes, aged care, community and social care, Perfect Ward is a digital solution for all healthcare environments.
For more information, visit Perfect Ward or to arrange a demo email us info@perfectward.com
Editors’ contact
Mary Phillips
PR Artistry
Tel: +44 1491 845553
Email: mary@pra-ltd.co.uk