NICU Guide App

A Mobile-First Digital Innovation to Streamline Communication and Workflow in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

Effective communication and streamlined access to clinical resources are critical in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), where multidisciplinary teams operate in a high-pressure, time-sensitive environment. Traditional methods—such as paper directories and printed clinical guidelines—often fall short in supporting real-time decision-making and staff coordination. In response, we developed the NICU App, a secure, cross-platform mobile application designed to enhance operational efficiency, support clinical workflows, and improve communication among NICU professionals.

The NICU App successfully addresses common challenges in neonatal units, including fragmented communication, difficulty locating clinical contacts, and outdated paper-based resources. The app facilitates real-time, secure access to staff information and clinical documentation, improving team coordination and decision-making at the point of care.

Key Features:

Easily updatable staff directory with role-based search, real-time data updates, and secure access protocols.

Reference materials such as clinical guidelines and care pathways

Replaces more than 100 pages of printed content

Easily maintained by non-technical users

Allows phone calls and emails to be sent directly from the app

Materials and Methods:

Easy maintenance is a priority:

·       The app is designed to be maintainable by non-technical users and so is built with Low/ No-Code tools

·       Much of the maintenance is done through Google Sheets

·       Users can update their own Schedules and Meeting Links

·       Where possible resources are pulled directly from the authority to reduce the need to update.

It integrates with Google Cloud services including Firebase Authentication, Google Sheets, and Firestore.

Data Security, PII and DSPT Compliance:

Protecting personally identifiable information (PII) and adhering to NHS digital standards were foundational to the app’s design. No patient data is stored or processed by the app. All PII user data—staff names, roles, and personal contact details—is handled in accordance with NHS Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) principles, transmitted over encrypted API endpoints and never stored locally on devices. Access control ensures that only authenticated users can access sensitive staff directories, with audit logging planned for future releases to enhance transparency and accountability.