Saline Memorial's Auxiliary helps boost baby security

An additional level of security for newborn children at Saline Memorial Hospital will ease fears new parents may have over the possible abduction of their infant.

The hospital has just installed the Hugs® Infant Protection System from Xmark to provide further safeguards to infants from the threat of abduction.

"Infant protection systems are vital in offering an effective deterrent against the abduction of infants," said Tracy Goodwin, Obstetrics Floor manager. "With the assistance of the SMH Auxiliary, who made the purchase possible by donating one half of the cost, the hospital has focused on the safety of it's newborns as a top priority."

"The SMH Auxiliary is pleased to be able to contribute toward the purchase of the new infant security system," said Alice Meeker, SMH Auxiliary President. "It's rewarding to know that our effort makes a difference in the lives of those in our community - especially the newest members, who at such a tender age need our protection."

The system works through the placement of a small, comfortable Hugs tag attached by a soft tamper-proof strap around the baby's ankle. The tag weighs a mere 1/3 of an ounce.

A computer console, located at the nurse's station, displays floor plans of the Obstetrics Unit showing tag locations with monitored areas and doors indicated. Alarms are generated if the strap is cut or tampered with, if the infant is moved to an unauthorized zone, or it the tag's signal is no longer detected.

The system can be made to activate other devices such as cameras, door locks, public address systems, pagers, sirens, or elevators. It also performs automatic self-assessments on all components and advises staff of any problems.

In the event of an attempted abduction, the Hugs system immediately informs security and nursing staff precisely where the alarm has occurred. It even provides a printed report offering evidence about the abduction effort. Once activated, the only way to remove the bracelet tag without generating an alarm is with authorized procedures.

Kelea Duke, who recently delivered her son at SMH, said all the security measures, including the Hugs system, made she and her husband Brian feel very safe while hospitalized.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reports that approximately 122 children have been abducted from healthcare facilities between the mid-80s and 2007.

The l is dedicated to the safety and security of all its patients, especially newborns. The hospital places a very high level of importance on security and continually assesses its performance in provided quality, safe care for patients.

For more information about Saline Memorial Hospital and its programs and services, visit www.salinememorial.org.