During the COVID-19 pandemic, Wrexham Maelor Hospital introduced innovative Placental Growth Factor (PlGF) testing to ease pressure on hospital beds, mainly occupied by COVID-19 patients. The hospital integrated the QuidelOrtho Triage PlGF test in the Maternity Unit, leading to significant improvements in patient care.
The Approach
- QuidelOrtho Triage PlGF test implemented in Maternity Unit for expectant mothers with high blood pressure at 20-35 weeks gestation.
- The tests allow the medical team to rapidly decide whether expectant mothers need immediate hospital admission for emergency care and delivery within 14 days, or if they can be safely discharged with extra antenatal monitoring if required.
The Patient Care Benefits
- Empowers the maternity unit to efficiently and promptly evaluate pregnant women, directing them to appropriate care and patient pathways.
- Expectant mothers can now undergo testing in the day assessment unit and receive results within just 15 minutes.
The Financial Benefits
- During a six-month period, the hospital’s day assessment unit administered Triage PlGF tests to 35 women with high blood pressure and/or proteinuria, usually referred by community
midwives. - A retrospective audit of 32 accessible records revealed that 44% of the women had normal PlGF levels (above 100 pg./mL) and were discharged.
- Another 44% exhibited low PlGF levels (between 12-99 pg./mL) and were sent home with closer antenatal monitoring.
- 12% displayed critically low levels (below 12 pg./mL) and required immediate admission for emergency care.
- Financial impact in total net savings in the same 6 months: £34,304.
Results in 3 Easy Steps
T: +44 800 368 8248
E: marketingnortheurope@quidelortho.com
quidelortho.com
FL5507000EN00 (02/23) | Source: Webinar by Dr Lynda Verghese, Wrexham Maelor Hospital on 20th April 2023