Protecting newborn babies from the threat of abduction has become an important priority for modern hospitals and birthing centers. Installing
protective baby security systems in a hospital environment using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is easy and affordable. These security devices are designed specifically to maintain the safety of babies in obstetric and pediatric departments from the threat of abduction. Newborn babies wear a bracelet around their ankle or wrist with a tag on it that transmits an RFID signal at a designated frequency that can be detected by listening units installed near the exits. When one of these security tags enters the zone covered by the receiver, the
baby security system alerts the facility staff and triggers pre-determined events such as closing and locking all exits or sounding an alarm. While this seems simple, all baby security systems are not created equal and there are a host of considerations to be made by
facility administrators choosing to install or expand an baby security system.
Hospital obstetric and pediatric units and birthing centers pose many unique problems that a baby security system must address so that it can be both effective and unobtrusive. These facilities are high traffic areas with a high nurse to patient ratio and many different visitors. New mothers are walking or wheeling around as part of their post-partem recovery and their families are excited to see the newest addition and take photos with a digital camera or cell phone. Electromagnetic interference from these devices and others mean that RFID receivers need to be built to
minimize interference from other devices around them and reduce false alarms. Bracelets worn by newborn babies must alert staff immediately if they are tampered with or the band is cut. They must also fit snugly even as the newborn baby loses wait in their first few days after birth.
Being able to decide how a baby security system responds when a breach occurs allows a birthing unit to make decisions for their own unique circumstances. Alerts can be sent to selected security and nursing staff via a variety of existing communication systems, a general alarm can be sounded, and alll exits can be locked until the alarm is cleared. These are a few of the
options available with a comprehensive baby security system. Facility administrators need to understand what other systems are in use and how they would like the baby security to integrate into that environment. Can it operate with the access control and communication systems already in place? Does it have a software interface and need a dedicated computer to operate? Can it be installed and maintained by the maintenance staff? What are the training commitments required from the staff?
When a facility that cares for newborn babies is purchasing a security or access control system, they are wise to consider all of the factors that go into calculating to total cost of ownership. With a baby security system, these should include installation costs, training resources, the ease of upgrading, batteries and replacement components, operating costs, and the customer support options. Understanding how these will impact your unit’s decision will determine which baby security system meets your needs and budget. It is critical to choose a baby security system that addresses your current security situation and allows you to upgrade in the future while preserving your initial investment to ensure the safety and security of the newborn babies in your facility – leading to happy patients and the required protection from liability.
