High-Tech Connections at a Highly-Important Time
BIRTHING CENTER
On one of her first days in the Birthing Center at Thompson Hospital, nurse Madigan Groff took care of a new mom who – due to technological limitations and COVID restrictions – was not able to see her newborn for five days after giving birth.
The baby had been transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at affiliate Golisano Children's Hospital for a higher level of medical care.
“It was so difficult, not only for the mother, but also for me, as the nurse caring for such a vulnerable woman, with no way to help,” said Groff.
Groff was determined to make sure that in the future, new moms hospitalized at Thompson with newborns needing NICU-level care could feel closer to their babies, despite the physical distance.
Joining forces with a group of fellow nurses and other associates within the hospital, she created a “Do It Group,” or DIG for short. As a deeply-ingrained part of Thompson’s corporate culture, a DIG is one way hospital staff are empowered to initiate changes to improve patient care.
Co-chaired by Clinical Nurse Educator Barbara Breitsch, the DIG has a goal of connecting mother and child via video access to enhance bonding and decrease anxiety.
Groff explained cameras are up and running in Strong’s NICU, and parents can sign up for access through an app called AngelEye, which livestreams through a platform compliant with the federal statute ensuring patient privacy. Because there are currently 20 cameras for the 50-bed NICU, Thompson’s DIG will purchase a camera specifically for babies whose mothers are at Thompson.
“We need to create a streamlined process during the infant’s transfer so that once they are settled in the NICU, we can connect the parents to their baby as soon as possible,” she said, noting the DIG also intends to purchase an iPad or similar device for parents without their own.
The project slowed down due to the ongoing pandemic, but will be nearing completion soon.
“It is such an important resource to offer to our moms and I am very excited for the final stages to be under way,” Groff said.
According to Director of Obstetrics Deborah Jones, the AngelEye camera will "give our parents who are experiencing the trauma of transferring their baby to the NICU a way to maintain their bond."
"It will allow them to observe the superlative care being provided to their newborn by our partners at the Golisano Childrens Hospital. I am sure it will decrease their anxiety and help them feel connected to their baby," Jones said, adding, "This was a very thoughtful idea on Madigan’s part that will have a positive impact on our families."
Learn more about The Birthing Center at F.F. Thompson Hospital