Abstract

We surveyed staff in Cork University Maternity Hospital to assess their views on pregnancy loss alert symbols and the electronic record, and to determine how accessible information relating to stillbirth can be found on the electronic record. We also reviewed the charts of the 2017 CUMH stillbirth cohort (28 women) was carried out. 92.9% of participants stated previous use of the teardrop symbol was extremely helpful in clinical practice and 96.8% stating that an alert symbol on the e-record would also be helpful. 55.5% of staff found specific information difficult to find on the electronic record. For the chart review, 35.7% of charts had a generic alert symbol for end-of-life; however, for 64.3% of these alerts it took greater than 20 clicks to access it. 14.3% of files were identified as still continuing a pregnancy, despite the pregnancy ending in a stillbirth in 2017. The introduction of a specific alert symbol on electronic records would benefit clinical practice greatly as the current alert system is not working. There is a need for further education and training in navigating the electronic record, so that important information can be easily sought out and to improve staff efficacy of care.