Hospital Goes High Tech to Reduce Infant Abductions

Published: August 22, 2013

CULPEPER, Va. — Culpeper Regional Hospital (CRH) has installed RF Technologies’ Safe Place infant security solution in an effort to keep newborns safe and reduce the risk of abductions.

The solution uses lightweight transmitters and RF Technologies’ patented Smart Sense technology with multiple measures of tamper detection. The water-resistant transmitter is comfortably secured around an infant’s ankle using a soft, flexible banding material.

Staff can monitor each baby via automated software that alerts them if a band is loose, has been tampered with, cut, or has been removed from the infant. Additionally, the system will automatically lock the door and notify staff members of a potential security threat if an infant wearing a transmitter comes within range of a monitored exit.

“This enhanced security system gives our new parents additional peace of mind and ensures that our littlest patients have the highest quality, safe care,” said Becky Bradshaw, director of the Family Birth Center at CRH.

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There have been roughly132 infant abductions from healthcare facilities between 1983 and 2013, according to a study by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Of those, 84% were from within an area of the facility including the mother’s room, nursery and pediatrics unit.

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