The availability of quick, accurate blood tests that can help rule out pre-eclampsia (PE) is improving care for pregnant women and their unborn babies, reducing anxiety and saving the NHS money.
The Oxford Academic Science Network, who have been championing the use of PlGF-based testing, have worked with the Sustainable Healthcare Coalition to appraise the likely environmental impacts of the care of PE, with and without the new test being used. A screening assessment using the Coalition’s Sustainable Care Pathway Guidance has estimated a CO2 saving of 91kg from each avoided admission and a reduction in the number of admissions due to suspected PE of over 40% at the Oxford John Radcliffe Hospital.
Assuming similar rates of admission across the country to those seen in Oxford, adoption across all NHS England’s Maternity Units might equate to a 12,500 reduction in the number of admissions for suspected PE and potential savings of 1,149 t CO2e. Projected potential cost savings, if adopted across NHS England, are expected to be in the region of £4 million per year, resulting from reduced admissions and monitoring.