Hospital unveils state-of-art infant security system

Skiff Medical Center earlier this month unveiled a leading-edge infant security system last week, offering additional protection against the possibility of abduction.

The United Hospital Services Hugs Infant Security System, approved for purchase by the Skiff Board of Trustees in December, was installed in February.

On Feb. 26, a fire prevention inspector from the Iowa Department of Public Safety assessed the system and approved it for use. At the conclusion of OB staff training on March 2 and 3, the system went live.

Designed to prevent infant abductions, the system utilizes a “Hugs” radio transmitter tag contained in a small casing, attached to the baby using a tamper-proof strap. The tag is put on within minutes of the baby’s birth, as soon as health-care providers have determined that mother and baby are both stable and doing well.

This system features skin-sensing technology, which activates as soon as the band is placed on the baby. If this band is cut, removed or tampered with, alarms will sound to alert staff and the unit will go into lockdown status to ensure the safety of the baby.

Electronic security systems have become the standard of care in obstetrics nationwide. Skiff’s previous system was put in place in 1998 and was no longer being supported.

“It was perfectly functional and all of our babies were protected,” said interim OB Director Nancy Burke, “but if something had stopped working, it could no longer be fixed. So this was the right time to act.”

Skiff is at the forefront of this form of obstetrical technology, with the Hugs system having just been incorporated in West Des Moines hospitals.

“With the implementation of this system,” said Kerry Soule, Director of Materials Management, “Skiff will offer the best protection available for our newborns and the reassurance that goes with that for their families.”