Tips for Improving Continuous Care for Pregnant Patients
Traditional prenatal care provided in OBGYN clinics, while essential, often focuses on sporadic check-ups and routine screenings. However, given the dynamic nature of pregnancy, there is a pressing need for more continuous monitoring of vital health parameters like blood pressure, weight, and glucose levels to safeguard the well-being of both mother and baby.
Continuous care requires more resources from OBGYN practices, but it is essential for patient outcomes and business outcomes. Here are tips for improving continuous care for pregnant patients.
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Continuous Care Needs for Pregnant Patients
OBGYNs are familiar with providing care while at the clinic, from prenatal care and routine screenings to labor and delivery. However, pregnancy is a dynamic process characterized by constant physiological changes in the mother and the developing fetus.
Healthcare providers must closely monitor maternal health parameters such as blood pressure, weight gain, and glucose levels to ensure the well-being of both mother and baby.
Every pregnancy carries inherent risks, and identifying and managing these risks is essential for ensuring optimal outcomes.
Elements of continuous care in OBGYN settings include:
- Expanding programs, services, and insurance-covered treatments for in-home perinatal care
- Increasing engagement with perinatal patients while out of the clinic
- Increasing the level of in-home care services available to patients for non-life-threatening events
- Improving quality care outcomes to deliver value-based and holistic care
- Expanded pre-natal and post-natal care services
- Keeping the same care team with the patient throughout the duration of the pregnancy or care services
Implementing a model of continuous care will help practitioner outcomes with patients with pre-existing medical conditions, gestational complications, and other complications.
Tips for Improving Continuous Care for Pregnant Patients
The goal of continuous care is to identify and manage the inherent risks in pregnant patients proactively to ensure optimal outcomes and patient safety.
To do so, practices should consider organizational improvements, like expanding in-home perinatal care offerings, leveraging EHR software to increase in-home care services, and enhancing the availability of in-home services for non-life-threatening events. These initiatives improve the quality of care but also align with the principles of value-based, holistic healthcare, which do have financial benefits for practitioners, such as reducing operating costs over time.
With a focus on addressing the specific needs and priorities of vulnerable communities, expanding continuous care services that are tailored to the communities involved promises to mitigate inequalities and accessibility issues in maternal health. This includes midwifery, community birth settings, and doula support which can provide women- and family-centered experiences that are highly valued and improved for birth outcomes.
The effectiveness of these programs is enhanced by keeping a consistent care team throughout the pregnancy, which fosters trust and respect, and a relationship-based care environment.
How OBGYN Can Leverage EHR for Improved Continuous Care Services
OBGYN can leverage EHR as it expands its services and adapts to a model that is more focused on continuous care services. One powerful software for this is the digiChart OBGYN-specific EHR software.
Continuous Maternal Care Capabilities
digiChart’s OBGYN-specific EHR consolidates patient health information into a centralized electronic database accessible to authorized healthcare providers. Practitioners can access comprehensive patient histories, including prenatal visits, lab results, ultrasound reports, and medication records, facilitating more informed decision-making.
This enables practitioners access to vital health data from a consolidated dashboard, making healthcare outcomes easier and more efficient.
This software allows healthcare providers to customize tracking parameters and set alerts for specific patient populations or risk factors. This ensures that providers can proactively monitor high-risk pregnancies and intervene promptly in case of abnormalities or concerning trends, even when patients are home or away.
These alerts can even be monitored remotely with cloud- and real-time data access. Healthcare providers can access patient health data in real-time even through cloud file shares, enabling timely assessments and interventions while patients are in their homes.
Whether in the office, clinic, or hospital setting, practitioners have instant access to up-to-date information, improving the efficiency and accuracy of patient monitoring.
By leveraging these capabilities, OBGYN practices can optimize care delivery, improve patient outcomes, and ensure the well-being of expectant mothers and their babies throughout pregnancy.
Seamless Communication and Collaboration
digiChart facilitates seamless communication and collaboration among healthcare team members, allowing for the efficient exchange of information and care coordination.
From obstetricians and midwives to nurses and support staff, everyone involved in the patient’s care can access and contribute to the electronic health record, promoting continuity and coherence in patient management.
digiChart’s electronic health record system empowers healthcare providers to overcome the challenges of providing continuous care during pregnancy by facilitating enhanced patient monitoring, real-time data access, customized tracking, and seamless communication.
Data Visualization Features for Pregnancy Care
Data visualization offers pregnant individuals the ability to better understand their health and manage it. Both patients and practitioners can use data visualizations to better understand critical data, warning signs, and risk factors around key metrics like gestational weight gain, mental health, blood pressure, and fetal movement patterns. With visual metrics, patients have more insight into their well-being and can also play a role in the interventions needed.
Visual tools like charts, graphs, and trend lines allow practitioners more efficient monitoring of their patient’s maternal and fetal health. This makes it easier to spot trends, detect anomalies, and take action even when patients are at home. Visuals can be used during consultations to improve transparency and promote better decision-making.
Lastly, use data visualization in the clinic to improve how complex data is presented so that information is conveyed more clearly and efficiently. This ensures that the information is better understood and can improve collaboration among different care providers, which is key to improving patient outcomes.
Telehealth for Home Care in Modern OBGYN Practices
Telehealth is crucial for proper continuous care support in maternal care as it provides those who struggle to leave their home, live far away, or have accessibility issues to receive the care they deserve. This accessibility is crucial in reducing maternal mortality rates and supporting continuous care.
Systems like digiChart’s telehealth features allow OBGYN practices to offer comprehensive services from initial consultations through postnatal care, all facilitated through digital platforms.
This technology not only bridges the gap between OBGYNs and patients but also enhances collaboration with midwives, enabling a holistic approach to maternity care that supports women throughout their pregnancy journey.
Secure Patient Portal for Increased Patient Engagement
One of the critical aspects of optimal outcomes in obstetrics and gynecology is maintaining patient engagement throughout pregnancy.
digiChart’s platform empowers pregnant patients to stay informed, engaged, and proactive in their care. Patients access educational resources, track their health, and communicate with their OBGYN team through secure online portals and mobile apps.
Features include secure messaging for questions, appointment scheduling, and reminders for medication and appointments.
By providing easy access to information and fostering communication, digiChart enhances patient engagement, leading to improved outcomes and satisfaction during pregnancy.
Embracing the Future of OBGYN with digiChart
Continuous care is ever-increasing, and OBGYN clinics can adapt to these changes with the powerful OBGYN-specific software digiChart.
By leveraging technology to its fullest potential, practices can elevate the standard of respectful care, ensuring optimal outcomes for pregnant patients and paving the way for a brighter future in obstetrics and gynecology.
From primary care to birth, reproductive health can easily be monitored and followed by a family medicine team or OBGYN practices.
Contact us today to learn more about how digiChart can revolutionize pregnancy care in your practice.
