Digital Maternity Update February Digital Maternity Update February

from February Newsletter

by Sarah_Lumley

Fetal Monitoring

Welcome to the Digital Maternity update for February 2023.

This month’s update is all about DATA. Love it or hate it, we cannot get away from it, so here is the lowdown.

 What is data?

Data is different types of information usually formatted in a particular manner. Data (digital.nhs.uk)

 Why does data matter?

Data inspires progress and galvanises change. We need to know where we are, so that we know where we need to go. We need to identify our challenges and how to find a solution.

12 Reasons Why Data Is Important - The Council on Quality and Leadership (c-q-l.org)

 What is data accuracy?

Data accuracy is the most critical aspect of data quality. It means that we can trust that the data collected gives us a reliable and appropriate view of the situation. This enables us to review our performance and make better decisions for planning, forecasting and budgeting. Inaccurate data leads to faulty predictions which can then lead to wasted time, money and resources. If we are confident in our data, decision making is enhanced, along with productivity and efficiency whilst reducing costs.

 Why do you need to know?

When data is entered into CMiS, it doesn’t just stay there. We use all of that information you type into it for lots of different reasons. We report on a number of indicators to identify our performance as a trust. We report nationally into the Maternity Services Data Set (MSDS) which is a nationwide data collection tool that provides an overall view of the state of maternity services. It helps to highlight if there is an issue at a particular trust, for example a high stillbirth or maternal death rate may means that there are failings at a particular trust. Which could mean using incorrect guidelines, incorrect CTG interpretation etc. The data will show us what we are doing and how we are doing it.

At any given moment, I can provide our performance data to the senior team who can advise the board. This is particularly useful if we need more resources.

 Data issues at Bedford

There are two main issues at Bedford currently:

1. Low risk births on delivery suite being recorded as an Acorn Suite (MLBU) birth. This is incorrect. Only births that have taken place in Acorn Suite (rooms 7, 8 and 9) can be recorded as an MLBU birth on CMiS. It is essential, that you do not record a low risk birth on delivery suite as an MLBU as this is incorrect data.

2. CMiS not reflecting the handwritten notes as shown below: -

When the “onset of labour”, “second stage” or ”pushing commenced” fields are not completed in CMiS, the recorded is rejected by MSDS, as you cannot have a vaginal birth without this information. This means I have to access the handwritten notes to establish the timings and add them to CMiS. I may also send you a friendly reminder.

Whenever you enter any data into CMiS, you must ensure it is accurate. I have amended a number of records that have a “delivery decision date” of a whole year before. So if the data was to be believed, this poor person waited a year for their instrumental/operative birth following the decision being made by a doctor!! We all make typos, but it is important to review the data you are adding. Also, if you have students recording information in CMiS, please check the record.