New Webcam System Connects Families with Newborns in NICU at UPMC Magee-Womens in Carlisle

May 6, 2024

CARLISLE, Pa. – New parents and family members can now check in on their infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at UPMC Carlisle any time of day and from anywhere in the world, thanks to a new camera system installed at UPMC Magee-Womens in Carlisle. This password-protected webcam system called NicView®, gives families a virtual connection to their newborns.

The NicView® installation was made possible by a generous donation from the Young family to the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation specifically for updates to the UPMC Carlisle NICU.

A newborn in the NICU causes separation and anxiety for families and their loved ones and can occur for many reasons — a mother may not be well enough to visit her newborn in the NICU after delivery, a sibling might not meet their new brother or sister or a grandparent may be long distance. The NicView®, system allows family and friends to log in and visit the baby from anywhere in the world. The system helps families feel more involved right from the start, making them partners in the process of giving their hospitalized infant the best start in life.

“Having a baby in the NICU can be a very stressful and frightening time for families, and it is even more difficult when they can’t be at the hospital with their baby," said Jarrod Johnson, president, UPMC Carlisle. “Being able to view their newborn on the camera is very reassuring and helps parents stay connected with the baby and the medical team. We are committed to continuing to deliver excellence in all we do for our patients and families in this community.”

Six cameras are installed in the NICU at UPMC Magee-Womens in Carlisle and are mounted above the baby’s care station, which provides families access to a live video stream that they can watch from a computer or mobile device throughout the day.

Video streaming on demand helps reduce the distress and anxiety a mother can feel at being separated from her newborn. The visual stimulus supports the mother-baby bonding process and has the potential to assist with milk flow during breastmilk expression while mother and baby are separated. The family can watch and learn their newborn’s routines in the NICU, helping smooth the transition to life at home.

The cameras can be conveniently out of the way for NICU caregivers to readily care for the infants. They run on the hospital’s network and do not interfere in any way with the technology otherwise in use in the unit. NICU staff have been trained on the use of the system and have the option of turning off the camera when requested by parents.

For security and safety, the system does not transmit sound, and none of the images are recorded or stored. Only the infant’s parents are given a unique username and password to access the live stream video of their baby. The parents, in turn, may share access with family members near or far. The NicView® system is designed to comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which requires confidential handling of patient information.

For more information about UPMC Magee-Womens services in central Pennsylvania, visit UPMC.com/CentralPaWomen.