The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust has rolled out the paediatric vitals electronic system at Princess Royal Hospital’s paediatric unit and emergency department as well as the emergency department at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, as part of efforts to improve the tracking of deterioration in children.
The digital system allows staff to record observations on iPads and access charts with real-time information from any device within the trust, “ensuring more accurate and timely monitoring” to support early detection and intervention. The trust also highlights how the system can help with standardising the approach to tracking deterioration by recording vitals using the National Paediatric Early Warning System.
On the roll out, divisional director of nursing for women and children’s services Julie Plant states that “staff have worked very hard to ensure the new system was launched smoothly, with minimal disruption and with the involvement of the children, young people and families.”
Digital and children’s health
In July HTN reported how Norfolk and Waveney ICB sought expressions of interest from suppliers for the provision of a digital offer for children and young people’s mental health, with a total value over a potential three years of £1.17 million.
We highlighted a two-year project launched at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust which intends to explore the use of virtual reality in reducing anxiety for children undergoing cancer treatment.
At Barnsley Hospital, a smartphone app offers a virtual tour of the hospital from waiting room to operating theatre for children awaiting surgery, as part of efforts to help children feel “comfortable” before their procedure.
And earlier in the year, HTN shared how Great Ormond Street Hospital has joined a consortium of six leading European children’s hospitals, who will be working together to advance research on children’s health; collaborating on data management to develop new therapies for children; and supporting new technologies such as AI.
Also from the region
HTN previously explored the digital strategy and plans from The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, which span until 2025.
And we looked into digital health and data across each of the ICS regions in our feature series across April to June; click here to read our coverage of the Midlands.
