A new software enables professionals to monitor pregnant women at home for hypertension and diabetes.
It was critical to keep patients out of hospitals as much as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic to minimize the risk of virus transmission. For pregnant women who are recognized as being at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19, it is critical to avoid hospitalizations wherever feasible.
Avoiding face-to-face visits presents substantial issues for antenatal services, as many women get crucial treatment, such as blood pressure and glucose monitoring, during these sessions. Both tests are critical because they can detect significant issues like as pre-eclampsia or diabetes.
MyMaternity was developed in collaboration with clinicians at Saint Mary’s Hospital, which is part of the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), and incorporated feedback from past patients to inform the design and content. The app enables pregnant women to record their blood pressure and glucose levels at home, with data being transmitted in real time to their midwifery team. Midwives evaluate the results and, if necessary, escalate for more treatment. Additionally, the app provides users with help and information.
At three hospitals in Greater Manchester, the software has already helped more than 400 expectant women.
Professor Jenny Myers, consultant obstetrician at Saint Mary’s Hospital and professor of obstetrics and maternal medicine at The University of Manchester, said: It was vital to keep pregnant women safe throughout COVID-19 and reduce unnecessary hospital stays, according to Professor Jenny Myers, consultant obstetrician at Saint Mary’s Hospital and Professor of Obstetrics and Maternal Medicine at The University of Manchester. Pregnant women can be monitored remotely, in continual communication, and conveniently accessed via the new software to continue their treatment and limit the number of patients who need to be hospitalized during the pandemic. “
The Technology
With the help of Health Innovation Manchester’s delivery team, Graphnet, a technology company specializing in healthcare IT solutions, developed the app. In addition, it was developed with the help of the people who use it.
MyMaternity’s functionality will be linked into the GM Care Record, which is also powered by Graphnet. The GM Care Record aggregates data from several health and care organizations to ensure that GPs, doctors, nurses, midwives, and other practitioners have access to up-to-date medical records, care plans, prescriptions, and test results. It now guides the delivery of appropriate care and treatment to nearly all of Greater Manchester’s 2.8 million residents.
“The MyMaternity app is an excellent example of leveraging technology to enhance patient care and help physicians,” said Guy Lucchi, digital innovation director at Health Innovation Manchester. It is also a tribute to the strength of our existing devolved collaborations throughout General Motors in terms of taking rapid action on issues that will directly benefit patients and frontline services during and after the COVID-19 epidemic.”
“We are thrilled to have been able to assist Health Innovation Manchester in responding promptly and utilizing our technology to provide critical monitoring services safely to pregnant women,” added Brian Waters, chief executive of Graphnet.
