An update from Wendy Watson, Acting Divisional Director of Women’s and Children’s Services.

I’m delighted to announce that Western Health has today successfully gone live with Digital CTG (cardiotocography) monitoring at the Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s.

A CTG is the measurement of fetal heart rate and uterine activity. Analysis of the CTG trace gives clinicians an indication of the baby’s condition and facilitates early detection of fetal distress. According to BOS (Birthing Outcome System), 75% of pregnant women presenting to Sunshine Hospital required CTG monitoring in 2017.

Centralised Digital CTG monitoring is now providing a comprehensive method of monitoring, assessing and accessing CTGs from within our health service or remotely. The integration of clinical information and increased visibility of maternal and fetal status supports mitigation of clinical risks, increases patient safety and improves birth outcomes.

Today’s smooth Go-Live is a credit to the clinicians who care for our patients requiring CTG monitoring.  Our staff were all trained, engaged and ready for today’s implementation.  Thank you to the Digital CTG Super User Team who put their hands up to provide support as we adapt to the new ways of working.  Thank you also to the team who have contributed extensive planning and preparation and will continue to support through this Go-Live week, the Digital CTG Project Team, Clinical Leads Lucy Nash and Dr Oliver Daly, and the EMR and Digital Technology Services Teams.

Please see below for photos of today’s Go-Live.

Kind regards,

Wendy