Improving maternity care access: technology addresses fetal monitoring needs

It’s part of a troubling trend contributing to a maternal health crisis, which is heightened because of the increase in risky and complicated pregnancies [3, 4].

Current clinical practice calls for performing non-stress tests, or NSTs, once or twice a week after 32 0/7 gestational weeks for high-risk pregnancies [5] to detect complications or co-morbidities for the fetus that may need immediate medical attention. But many obstacles stand in the way to getting this routine care. Even if pregnant women live relatively close to a care provider, they may have to take time off work, arrange for childcare and find transportation for each appointment. These inconveniences can lead to missed appointments, and negative outcomes for the fetus.

At the same time, various challenges stand in the way of obstetric providers being able to deliver this routine care. OB/GYN departments are understaffed [6] and overwhelmed with patients. Managing NST rooms and scheduling the tests can also be inefficient. The staff shortage, coupled with the increase in complex and high-risk pregnancies, creates a perfect storm.

According to a recent March of Dimes report, access to maternity care continues to decline, and more resources are needed to make maternal health a priority. One of its recommendations is using telehealth as an area of opportunity to improve maternal and birth outcomes.

Addressing maternal care disparities by enabling high-quality prenatal care to be delivered for pregnant women no matter where they live* is why Philips has partnered with Nuvo to offer the Philips Remote Fetal Monitoring solution. The solution leverages the INVU platform, an FDA-cleared, prescription-initiated, remote monitoring platform by Nuvo that allows physicians to conduct NSTs remotely. Using this solution, high-risk pregnant women can have their NST monitoring sessions at home starting at week 32 through the end of their pregnancy.

This technology aims to support flexibility, improve efficiency and boost patient satisfaction. The INVU platform [7] has been validated for efficacy, safety and reliable self-administration through multi-center clinical trials and human factors studies [8].

In addition to potentially helping to detect complications or co-morbidities early for the fetus, shifting a portion of care to the home setting has the potential to lessen the burden on providers. It has the capacity to improve scheduling and workflow for clinicians and to help administrators better manage staff workload, freeing time to care for patients who need it the most.

Remote fetal monitoring has been shown to have made a positive impact on hospital resources.

And from the patient’s perspective, the solution is designed to decrease pregnancy-related stress and increase comfort and convenience and to improve patient satisfaction scores.

Physicians also see the impact that the remote solution offers. “The ability to conduct non-stress tests remotely is a game-changer for our patients, and OBGYNs,” says Dr. Blake McLaughlin, OBGYN, Regional Director for Women’s Health Services, Banner Health. “High-risk pregnancies put an enormous burden on our patients who travel long distances for monitoring. This solution empowers patients in their pregnancy journey and gives them part of their life back.