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Bowling Green hospital system allows live stream NICU view of babies

The Medical Center is first in state to let parents stay connected through video streaming

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (July 28, 2014) — The Medical Center in Bowling Green is the first hospital in Kentucky to install NICVIEW, an innovative camera system that allows for streaming video of babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The $35,000 investment in the new system will include 10 cameras.

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The Medical Center in Bowling Green.

“Bonding with a new baby is so important, but when a baby is born prematurely or sick and must be cared for in the NICU, bonding can be a challenge when parents and their baby can’t be together all the time,” said Caitlin Burklow, Director of Women’s Services for The Medical Center. “NICVIEW allows that bonding to occur by giving parents the opportunity to stay connected with their baby through video streaming even if miles apart.”

The NICVIEW system includes a small camera that is mounted to a baby’s bed or incubator. The system allows for video streaming through a secure online portal. NICU staff can post notes in the portal to share information with parents about baby’s activities.

The portal is accessible from any web-enabled computer or mobile device. All video and information are secured with up to 256-bit SSL encryption, the current web security standard. Usernames and passwords are only issued to parents who consent to use the system. Parents are advised to safeguard their username and password, but parents can choose to share the information with family and friends at their discretion.

The implementation of the new camera system is just one enhancement to The Medical Center’s Obstetrics and Neonatology Services. A recent renovation includes a new waiting area for families, a new triage area in Labor & Delivery and a new Obstetrics Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) in Labor & Delivery.