An innovative electronic children’s observation system has been successfully implemented in Shropshire’s two acute hospitals to enhance the care of children and young people.
The Paediatric Vitals solution, developed by System C, was launched at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford and the emergency departments at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in July 2024. This system utilizes the National Paediatric Early Warning System (PEWS) to digitally record vital signs, replacing outdated paper charts. It offers a standardized method for monitoring children’s health progression.
Healthcare professionals can now input vital observations, such as heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, and blood pressure, using iPads. The system instantly alerts when a child’s health deteriorates, signaling the need for immediate intervention.
Julie Plant, the divisional director of nursing for women and children’s services at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, expressed pride in the hospital’s adoption of this digital system. She emphasized the positive impact it will have on patient care, especially for children and young people and their families during challenging times.
Paediatric Vitals enables prompt access to real-time patient data from any device within the trust, enhancing clinical monitoring accuracy. Joshua Pagden, the chief nursing information officer at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, highlighted the system’s potential to revolutionize clinical information visibility in paediatrics.
This introduction marks a pivotal moment in the trust’s digital transformation journey, with Paediatric Vitals being one of several digital solutions deployed to improve patient care quality and safety. The ongoing implementation of electronic systems underscores the trust’s commitment to leveraging technology for better healthcare outcomes.
