Impact of the introduction of fetal central monitoring on hospital expenses with cardiotocographic paper

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2014

Authors

Amorim Costa, C (Author) Other; Ayres de Campos, D (Author) Other; Costa Santos, C (Author) FMUP; Bernardes, J (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Vol. 34

Pages: 82-84

ISSN: 0144-3615

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Clinical medicine

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-008-K5M

DOI: 10.3109/01443615.2013.820267

Abstract (EN): Digital storage of cardiotocographic (CTG) tracings by fetal central monitoring systems (fCMS) obviates the need for printing, or alternatively, the tracings can be printed in regular paper instead of CTG thermal paper. We aimed at evaluating the impact of the introduction of the Omniview-SisPorto (R) system on CTG paper costs in a large university hospital. After introduction of the fCMS, there was an 87% reduction in median annual expenses with CTG paper in the labour ward (p = 0.011) and a 78% decrease in the prenatal clinic (p = 0.017), despite a more than 40% increase in the median number of observed women. Routine use of fCMS may provide an important reduction in hospital expenses associated with the use of thermal CTG paper, thus reducing the investment made in their acquisition and maintenance.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 3