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Am J Perinatol 2015; 32(02): 131-136
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1376388
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Perceptions of Webcams in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Here's Looking at you Kid!

Gavin A. Hawkes
1   Department of Neonatology, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Ireland
,
Vicki Livingstone
2   Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University College Cork, Ireland
,
C Anthony Ryan
1   Department of Neonatology, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Ireland
2   Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University College Cork, Ireland
,
Eugene Michael Dempsey
1   Department of Neonatology, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Ireland
2   Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University College Cork, Ireland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

20 January 2014

03 April 2014

Publication Date:
04 June 2014 (online)

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Abstract

Introduction Many tertiary neonatal units employ a restricted visiting policy. Webcams have previously been implemented in the neonatal unit setting in several countries.

Objectives This study aims to determine the views from parents, physicians, and nursing staff before implementation of a webcam system.

Methods A questionnaire-based study.

Results There were 101 responses. Parental computer usage was 83%. The majority of parents indicated that they would use the webcam system. Parents felt that a webcam system would reduce stress. Members of the nursing staff were most concerned about privacy risks (68%), compared with parents who were confident in the security of these systems (92%, p-value < 0.001). Seventy two percent of nurses felt that a webcam system would increase the stress levels of staff as compared with less than 20% of the physicians (p-value < 0.001).

Discussion The majority of parents who completed the questionnaire have positive attitudes toward implementation of a webcam system in the NICU. Education of health care staff is required before implementation.

Keywords

webcam - NICU - neonatology
 

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