Computer technology and the cardiotocograph

Chapter 14 Computer technology and the cardiotocograph


Computers have become a central part of modern life. In pregnancy care their value lies in display, transmission, storage and, to a lesser extent, analysis of data. They have a clear educational role, potentially using the limitless possibilities of internet technology.


Sophisticated viewing systems allow the display of data at a central delivery suite location. This allows overviewing of all monitors in the unit and selective display of further information on any particular monitor. The advantage of this is that it allows further opinion or concern to be voiced about any particular trace by a supervisor or another third party. In analysis of mistakes made in cardiotocograph (CTG) interpretation, human error of one person involved has been recognized. One person on the day may have personal stresses, be feeling below par or have other reason to perform suboptimally. Support is important. The disadvantage of this central system is that it may cause managers to downgrade the priority for one-to-one care. The place of the midwife is beside the bed: the central monitor should not remove the need for the bedside midwife. The midwife has so many other important roles apart from watching the monitor.


These displays incorporate alert and alarm signals which can be set at particular levels locally. However, experience shows that the variety of intrapartum fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns seen and clinical scenarios experienced do not facilitate the use of such a framework. It is common for midwives and doctors to use such devices initially but later to turn them off or, worse, ignore them. Remember the mother and her partner are watching what is happening. More and more they are asking about the CTG and what it is showing. Ignoring apparent alerts does not inspire confidence.

Related posts:

Introduction Contraction assessment Clinical assessment and recording Cardiotocographic interpretation: clinical scenarios Control of the fetal heart and NICE guidelines Cardiotocographic interpretation: more difficult problems

Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel
Tags:
Jan 11, 2016 | Posted by in FETAL MEDICINE | Comments Off on Computer technology and the cardiotocograph

Full access? Get Clinical Tree
Get Clinical Tree app for offline access