Guidance for recording tobacco exposure in pregnancy in BadgerNet Maternity

Clear recording of tobacco smoking in pregnancy in electronic patient records is essential for patient management and to understand ongoing service needs and effectiveness.

The current sections for recording tobacco smoking in the BadgerNet Maternity system are not clearly labelled. There is also not a separate section for recording electronic cigarette use in pregnancy.

As a result, it is sometimes unclear whether the pregnant woman:

• only uses electronic cigarettes
• smokes tobacco and uses electronic cigarettes
• only smokes tobacco

The aim of this guidance is to support clear and consistent recording first and foremost of tobacco smoking in pregnancy (as for now it impacts on more women and babies than e-cigarette use).