23 October 2017
Driven by the growing independent evidence base underpinning a Totally Unique approach, diverse clinical teams continue to innovate with Flo, adapting and adopting her as an integral tool, to help their patients to self manage better.
Maternity continues to be an area of creative innovation with clinicians inspired to integrate Flo into new pathways beyond their primary implementation; since 2012 patients supported by Flo within maternity pathways has increased steadily and in 2016 we saw almost a 20 times increase in use of Flo than in 2012!
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Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH) and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) In 2012, Flo’s support was focused towards mums-to-be diagnosed with either pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) with organisations in the North East delivering compelling evidence that Flo’s integration has been beneficial for staff, and most importantly patients. Patients reported:
Clinical Outcomes:
Cost Effectiveness: Based on Sunderland City Hospital’s pilot project using Flo for PIH & GDM, some estimated cost savings were calculated by the team. These were done by comparing the treatment and contact Flo patients received, compared to the normal non-Flo care pathway (for example number of appointments etc.).
The West Cumbria Antenatal Service have delivered some solid outcomes from their implementation of Flo within their outpatient pathway supporting mums to be with type 1 diabetes, or those who develop GDM:
As well as great clinician outcomes, patient feedback was also positive:
| More Clinical Innovation Moving forwards into 2017, the number of maternity pathways supported via Flo continued to diversify: Breastfeeding support Similar to PIH and GDM, Flo’s development towards supporting mums with breastfeeding emerged from an innovative pathway developed in the North East, and recognising the impact has now been adopted in other maternity units across the country, increasing the number of patients supported; emerging as the 2nd most commonly accessed maternity pathway. Outcomes reported by mums of improved reassurance and support but that those supported by Flo for breastfeeding support were more likely to continue breastfeeding at 6 weeks when compared to those mums without Flo’s intervention. Type 2 Diabetes in Pregnancy Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals are developing an innovative pathway for mums-to-be already diagnosed with type 2 diabetes pre-natally. The pathway reinforces support to self manage whilst receiving a new treatment regimes due to pregnancy and offers opportunities of timely intervention and reassurance for mums to be outside of the traditional clinic environment aiming to deliver improved clinical outcomes and more efficient use of capacity. Scottish Health Boards have embraced the opportunity to support women pre and postnatally and have developed a range of emerging new pathways, below.
Pathways helping mums become more aware of their baby's movements during pregnancy, improving awareness of their own daily movements and what normal level of movement is to be expected; and if necessary who to contact and when to support intervention.
Pathways supporting new parents and their babies. Flo offers relevant, timely advice and guidance to support parents and their babies in having the best start in life.
Pathways adapted from best practice smoking cessation design, tailored towards key techniques helping expectant mums quit smoking. |
For more information on integrating Flo within maternity services please contact lisa.taylor@simple.uk.net
#Pregnancy Induced Hypertension #Gestational Diabetes Mellitus #TotallyUnique