Technology Connects Parents with Infants at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Outstate Michigan Supports Pilot Program

Parents and loved ones unable to be at the bedside of premature and critically ill infants can now stay connected through the “My Baby View” program.

The program is a custom built software and video monitor system used in The Gerber Foundation Neonatal Center at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. The initial program was made possible by a nearly $25,000 grant from Ronald McDonald House Charities of Outstate Michigan.

“The average length of stay for our patients is 27 days,” said Joan Rikli, director, critical care services, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. “Parents and care givers want to be with newborns in the weeks and months following their birth, but in many instances they need to return home to work or care for other children. My Baby View gives parents an opportunity to connect with their little ones despite distance.”

The process is simple and takes just five steps.
1. A parent calls the neonatal center and asks to speak with their baby’s nurse.
2. The parent asks if it is a good time to view their baby.
3. If it’s a good time, the nurse will position the video monitor in front of the baby and ask for an e-mail address. The parent will share an e-mail address with the nurse.
4. The parent will receive an e-mail with information necessary to log onto a secure website.
5. The parent clicks on a link in the e-mail and enters a user-name and password supplied by the nurse.

“We always try to facilitate bonding between parents and their newborns but that’s challenging when parents can’t be at the hospital,” added Rikli. “We are grateful to Ronald McDonald House Charities for supporting the development of our program. Philanthropy is absolutely essential in helping us provide services such as My Baby View.”

Six My Baby View monitoring systems are currently available. Enhancements to the program are being considered.

“Having a premature or critically ill baby can be unbelievably stressful on a family,” said Lesa Dion, executive director of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Outstate Michigan. “My Baby View represents a wonderful application of technology designed to help offer comfort and support to families who must be away from their child during a difficult time.”

Founded in 1990, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Outstate Michigan (RMHC) has awarded grants totaling more than $6 million to approximately 350 Michigan organizations throughout 58 Michigan counties with a goal of strengthening the lives of children. For more information on RMHC of Outstate Michigan visit: www.facebook.com/RMHCOutstateMI and http://www.rmhcoutstatemi.org/.

Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, a member of Spectrum Health, is a Grand Rapids-based hospital serving children throughout Michigan. A teaching hospital, it includes nearly 200 pediatric physicians with training in providing medical and surgical care to children in more than 40 pediatric specialties. Visit helendevoschildrens.org to learn more.