Downtown medical campus enhances child safety with scanning tech
A technology meant to enhance patient safety for newborns is launching at University of Iowa Health Care’s downtown campus.
UI Health Care Medical Center Downtown recently integrated CertaScan technology into its neonatal care services. This advanced technology allows for the digital scanning of newborn footprints, providing a precise and permanent record that can be used for identification purposes throughout the child's life. It also captures mom’s fingerprints and links the two in their electronic health record. UI Health Care was the first in the state to implement the technology, starting more than a year ago at its university campus.
“This type of technology, while we hope never to need it, could serve a vital purpose in identifying a missing child,” says Christian Pettker, MD, department executive officer and the Jennifer R. Niebyl Chair in Obstetrics and Gynecology. “Sometimes innovative care goes beyond just the treatments we provide. UI Health Care’s high standard of care means adopting new technology and processes to keep patients safe, including after they leave the hospital.”
The process is non-invasive, capturing high-resolution images of a newborn's feet to store securely in a digital database. This innovation not only enhances the accuracy of infant identification but also supports the hospital's commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to improve patient care and safety.
"The adoption of CertaScan technology is a testament to our commitment to providing the highest standard of care,” says Jennifer Miller, MHA, MPH, RD, the hospital’s chief administrative officer. “This technology not only ensures the safety and security of our youngest patients but also exemplifies our dedication to innovation and excellence in healthcare."
Miller and others believe this implementation underscores UI Health Care’s dedication to adopting innovative solutions that enhance the quality of care we provide to patients and their families. This move aligns with the hospital's broader mission of changing medicine and changing lives through advanced medical practices and technologies.
