AAs a Nurse Executive I have used “TrendCare” in 3 different organisations in two countries (Australia & New Zealand) over the past 11 years. This was a much needed and welcome innovation for the nursing & midwifery workforce.

TrendCare is a unique patient nurse dependency system that provides “real time” information to its users. The information enables evidence based decision making in relation to allocation of nursing & midwifery resources to assist nurse/midwife managers to have the right nurse/midwife, in the right place, at the right time to provide delivery of patient care.

Over time I have experienced ongoing system improvements and today the system is extremely “user friendly”. An example is how little time it will take a nurse/midwife to categorise and actualise a patient’s care needs, with a few “mouse clicks” thereby allowing more time for other patient care requirements. br>
TThe support for users of the system is exceptional and the TrendCare team are readily available and willingly support organisations to optimise the available technology and for it to form an effective & useful part of its information systems.

For a nurse/midwife manager, the ability to access information from the various modules i.e. HR and rosters is a great support for effective ward management. Duty Nurse Managers can gain a real time picture of patient acuity and activity for staff assignment and deployment. In addition the bed management component assists patient flow through effective and timely bed utilisation. br>
From an organisational perspective the reporting functionality is available when needed, is easy to access and can be utilised to inform budget development and inform staff rostering requirements. In addition the use of patient pathways and risk assessments modules supports an organisation clinical risk management strategy.

Denise Brewster-Webb
Director of Nursing & Midwifery
Northland District Health Board
5th March 2008