A few months ago we reported that the Intensive Care Unit of the Neonatology Service of the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona had installed a camcorder system that allows parents to always see their children through a website.
Now, Four Madrid hospitals have installed camcorders in the cribs of their NICUs, so that parents can see their newborns 24 hours a day. It has been proven that this option favors the link with the newborn, reduces separation anxiety or even seems to favor breast milk production.
It is clear that it does not replace skin-to-skin contact, the best medicine for the baby, but they are an aid for times when parents cannot be with their babies. Calm to be able to see them at all times.
Contact with the baby is indispensable
One of the situations that causes more stress and distress to the parents of a newborn is to have to separate from him, and more if the toddler is premature or has health problems and must remain in the hospital.
Accompaniment is a fundamental right of the hospitalized child, but we still find hospitals that limit it, hinder breastfeeding and force parents to return home after a limited and strict visiting schedule.
In Babies and more The Clinic installs cameras in the ICU of neonates so that parents can see their premature babies 24 hours a day Luckily, the majority of maternity hospitals already allow the mother and her child to remain 'skin to skin' from the moment of birth. Even when the baby needs medical attention: centers around the world begin to carry out neonatal care programs that accelerate the recovery of the baby and contribute to improving the mood of family members, inviting them to get involved in their care from the first moment .
Among them, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver (Canada), which has a program that gives families the opportunity not to separate a minute from their premature or sick babies while they are hospitalized.
Also in Spain, the Neonatology Service of the Vall d'Hebron Hospital in Barcelona, started the campaign 'With you, like at home', to raise funds and to create an Advanced Neonatology Center, to humanize the baby's hospital process and its family.
Ideally, you can sleep in the hospital in the same room as your premature baby, be able to touch him and place him on your chest without time limits.But it is not always possible, or at all times, because there are babies who can spend several weeks or even months admitted and it is almost inevitable that at some moments they will be left alone in the care of medical staff. Right now, the webcam system can help parents be more relaxed.
In Babies and more Cameras installed in intensive care units allow you to see your premature baby at any timeMaternities of open doors
Photo courtesy of Quirón Salud The Jiménez Díaz Foundation University Hospital in Madrid has been the first to install webcams in Madrid, in the Neonatal ICU so that parents can see their babies 24 hours a day.
But the initiative has already been joined in the same Community, the Infanta Elena Hospital (Valdemoro), Rey Juan Carlos (Móstoles) and Villalba General Hospital. All belong to the Quirón Hospital Group.
All these centers also have an open door protocol, which allows parents to spend the time they want with their children, without problems with schedules or restrictions. Now, video surveillance is useful to reassure parents when they have to be absent.
In Babies and more Cameras installed in intensive care units allow you to see your premature baby at any timeThrough an app, the images They are available in real time and 24 hours a day, from your mobile, tablet and computer. You are informed immediately if the service is not available because you are testing the newborn.
In addition, to ensure the privacy and security of its use, no sound is recorded or played and is only available automatically to the mother. To have access, the father must register as a guardian of the child.
This tool complements the information and health care offered in the Neonatal ICU and parents perceive a better quality of care, from the human point of view.
In this video, Eva Rueda, responsible for the Information and Patient Care Service of the Jiménez Díaz Foundation, explains what this method consists of, its advantages, while you can see it in images.
These hospitals join other centers that have previously adapted video surveillance. We already talked about the ten camcorders installed in the Neonatal Unit of the Jaén Hospital Complex, as well as a pilot project at the Hospital San Pedro de La Rioja hospital, as part of the 'Visit your baby' program.
Personally, everything that allows parents to be closer to their hospitalized children seems to me to be a good idea and, in my humble opinion, the open door protocol should be something generalized in all hospitals.
I also applaud the installation of webcams if, as it is being shown, it brings benefits to the baby and the mothers, in addition to providing peace of mind.
But do you also agree with the initiative? Do you know any other center that has cameras in its Neonatal ICU? We are looking forward to hearing your opinion.
Photos | iStock
