Over the past few years, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) has utilised digital child growth chart data, by integrating its Clinical Workstation Portal with a solution from CCube Solutions.
Aneurin Bevan was the first health board within NHS Wales to procure technology from CCube Solutions, as it sought to digitise paper records and, as well in this case, child growth chart data.
The project involved implementing the electronic document & records management solution from the supplier with a direct integration with ABUHB’s Clinical Workstation Portal.
CCube Solutions said to HTN: “When we first started the project, one of the main challenges to overcome was that child growth charts were going to present an issue as records became digital.”
Taking on the challenge, the company introduced its product, eForms, which is described as a ‘graphing tool’ where clinical staff key-in measurement data. The information is then overlaid onto a ‘background’ image that is similar in look and feel to the original growth chart.
What this means, the company said, “is that all data is now keyed into this part of the system and plotted onto the chart, just like the paper version, but the data is integrated with the Clinical Workstation Portal. All users can see any data related to that specific patient record, including a link to the growth chart data, and approved users can enter data. From the user’s viewpoint it completely mimics the paper process.”
This module is among a number of data streams supporting the portal, including pathology, radiology, admin, correspondence, and others.
“Key to the project was integration and aligning with the Clinical Workstation Portal at the health board. It now means staff can key-in measurement data, and the information is overlayed, using a standard layout from the Medical Research Council, making the process streamlined to plot potential growth”, the company said.
The deployment of the technology came after an NHS trust in the North West implemented the solution, enabling the lessons learned and methodology to be transferred to the benefit of ABUHB.
Since then, the health board has been working with the supplier to develop the solution further, to make enhancements and improvements to its visual data.
Vijay Magon, Managing Director, CCube Solutions, said: “Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) was one of the first healthcare providers we worked with to digitise growth charts and develop the solution further.
“The module plots measurements and age onto a chart image, for 0-2, 0-4, 0-18years, with the ability to display gestation correction, bone age and target height – and calculations of BMI, height velocity.
“This has led to clinical acceptance of this tool has been key to it becoming part of everyday processes across the health board.”
