The unexpectedness of delivering a premature baby is hard to work around, especially for families that live further away from the hospital. Then there’s the chance he’s about to stay in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Extra sadness and anxiety develops at the thought of leaving him there alone. That’s where TriStar Health steps in to help.
TriStar Health recently added 75 NICVIEW web streaming cameras. These cameras are available in the NICUs at five of its Nashville-area hospitals. This includes TriStar StoneCrest (200 StoneCrest Blvd., Smyrna). The new NICVIEW cameras are especially important for those families that can’t stay all day and night. The cameras allow them to stay connected and close to their child.
Brooke and Dakota Smith (pictured at top) are one such example as their newborn, Isabella, was a NICU patient at The Children’s Hospital at TriStar Centennial. The family is from Clarksville, Tenn., where Dakota serves in the military and is based at Fort Campbell.
“There are few things harder than being away from my baby girl, especially while she was in the hospital. But with the demands of work and life, and the responsibility I have as a member of our nation’s armed forces, it was necessary for me to return to my post,” said Dakota Smith. “The NICVIEW camera has been incredible for our family. I love watching our baby girl, and knowing that she is doing OK even when I’m not there. This technology has helped us feel closer to Isabella, and provided peace of mind during this challenging time.”
Each NICVIEW camera is mounted on the wall near the infant’s bed. This allows families to view their babies 24/7 through a password protected livestream.
“NICVIEW cameras give families the opportunity to connect with their infant and feel close to them no matter where they are” said Heather J. Rohan, President of TriStar Health. “The installation of these cameras provide a more personalized approach to medicine and ensure the best possible experience for our patients and their families.”
TriStar’s NICUs treat newborns who need additional care in their first days, weeks or months of life. This extra care could be due to premature birth or complications that arise after delivery. TriStar Health also offers neonatal transport services. This allows critically-ill newborns convenient access to the highly-specialized care offered at TriStar hospitals.
For more information about TriStar’s NICU facilities, as well as information about labor and delivery services, please visit tristarhealth.com.
