Using Web-enabled technology, two hospitals in Boston and Chicago are enhancing the image of their neonatal units by empowering parents of premature infants to be more involved
in the care of their babies. The neonatal technology, called BabyCareLink, facilitates better communication between parents and NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) doctors and
nurses.
Last month, Evanston Hospital, in the Chicago area, and Winchester Hospital, in the Boston area, selected BabyCareLink to support their NICU services. The technology combines
the Web, multimedia and videoconferencing technologies with a secure network application developed by Clinician Support Technology. Using a glossary of information found on the
BabyCareLink system, parents of premature infants are able to research the care and monitor the progress their babies are making. The program also features growth charts and a
picture library.
Evanston Hospital, which is the flagship hospital of the Northwestern Healthcare System, and Winchester Hospital, which has a Level II NICU, can customize the technology to
meet their needs. The CareLink technology also is being used in the neonatal units of the Boston-based Care Group which includes Beth Israel/Deaconess Hospitals.
(CST, Glenn Schneider, 508/620-7050, http://www.cstlink.com)