Weber State University Web-Camera System in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
NICview is a password-protected Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) webcam system mounted close to the premature infant, or patient, that allows remote viewing by parents and family members. (Hill, 2011) The system was designed to facilitate the bonding of parents with their infant by providing 24/7 access for remote locations. A NICU webcam program allows management of the camera by the NICU staff, meaning they have the ability to pause viewing while handling infants or during procedures. For security and privacy purposes, the program does not allow for recording or stored images of the infant and only authorized users are allowed access. The main purpose of a NICU webcam is to enhance the parent/child relationship while giving staff the ability to care for the infant.
However, there are several challenges to the concept of webcams in hospitals. The first being privacy of other patients, visitors and staff. A part of this issue is address in the system programing by not allowing recordings …show more content…
(E.g. during procedures, baths, and/or exams, etc.) Many routine tasks could be harmless yet potentially have major legal ramifications for the facility and “the possibility that a parent witnesses an emergency situation before the camera can be turned off.” (Hill, 2011) Again, with the legal department, NICU staff, and administration a policy needs to be created that meets the facilities needs before the implementation of the webcam system. Each family should receive a handout describing the system, how to use the sysem, and the possibilities of viewing emergency situations. The handout should also describe what the family needs to do if this situation arises, who they should contact (name or title and phone number) and the facility should prepare for grief counsling or support in these
NICview is a password-protected Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) webcam system mounted close to the premature infant, or patient, that allows remote viewing by parents and family members. (Hill, 2011) The system was designed to facilitate the bonding of parents with their infant by providing 24/7 access for remote locations. A NICU webcam program allows management of the camera by the NICU staff, meaning they have the ability to pause viewing while handling infants or during procedures. For security and privacy purposes, the program does not allow for recording or stored images of the infant and only authorized users are allowed access. The main purpose of a NICU webcam is to enhance the parent/child relationship while giving staff the ability to care for the infant.
However, there are several challenges to the concept of webcams in hospitals. The first being privacy of other patients, visitors and staff. A part of this issue is address in the system programing by not allowing recordings …show more content…
(E.g. during procedures, baths, and/or exams, etc.) Many routine tasks could be harmless yet potentially have major legal ramifications for the facility and “the possibility that a parent witnesses an emergency situation before the camera can be turned off.” (Hill, 2011) Again, with the legal department, NICU staff, and administration a policy needs to be created that meets the facilities needs before the implementation of the webcam system. Each family should receive a handout describing the system, how to use the sysem, and the possibilities of viewing emergency situations. The handout should also describe what the family needs to do if this situation arises, who they should contact (name or title and phone number) and the facility should prepare for grief counsling or support in these