Vim & Vigor - Summer 2014 - North Mississippi - (Page 55)
"With the flip of a switch, I can examine a baby in New
Albany without ever leaving the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
in Tupelo," Darling explains. In fact, he can use the technology anywhere that wireless Internet is available.
Darling has been using telemedicine technology with
Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis since the mid1990s. "This technology has so far surpassed what we could
do then by allowing us to take such a close look at the baby,"
he says. "If a pediatrician in New Albany calls me about a
baby, I just log in to the system, and it's like I'm there."
HIGH-TECH ADVANTAGES
Through the unit, neonatologists can check the baby's vital
signs, conduct a visual exam, review X-rays and, using a
stethoscope attachment, listen to the baby's heart and lungs.
"I can actually hear better through the stethoscope attachment and Bose earphones than I can with my own stethoscope," Darling says. "I can even zoom in on an image and
take photos or draw on the X-ray to show the parents."
Around 6 p.m. the day of the birth, Darling steered the
robot to Keshia's room to introduce himself. "My family was
standing outside the nursery window looking at the baby,"
she says. "When the robot went past, Darling greeted them.
They said, 'Did that robot just talk to us?' "
While the technology takes a little getting used to, physicians and parents alike sing its praises. "It is always our goal
to keep babies as close to their parents as possible," Darling
says. "This technology allows me face-to-face communication
with the parents. It's nice for them to see who their baby is
going to before the transfer."
For the Carlisles, it was reassuring. "On his first visit before
he examined Newt, Dr. Darling explained what he was about
to do," Keshia says. "Then afterward
he came back to my room to tell me his
recommendations. It really helped me to
know what to expect."
By 9 p.m., baby Newt was at the NICU
in Tupelo, and his mother was able to
join him the following afternoon. But for
parents who can't travel so soon, neonatologists can use the technology to keep
them informed.
Last year, more than 1,200 babies were
born at Baptist Union County. "Based on
the average percentage, we expect to be
consulted on about 100 of these babies
each year," Darling says. "We will consult on babies who need NICU care or
anytime a physician wants another set of
eyes or recommendation."
WHEN IT
MATTERS MOST
N
orth Mississippi Medical Center's
34-bed intensive care nursery treats
patients born at the Women's Hospital
as well as those transferred in from other area
hospitals by CareExpress neonatal transport
ambulance. More than 300 infants are admitted
to the NICU annually, and more than one-third
of them are transported to Tupelo from area
hospitals. The neonatal transport team includes
respiratory therapists and registered nurses
who specialize in neonatal intensive care. NMMC
hopes to add a telemedicine unit to CareExpress
so that neonatologists visit with parents and
examine infants at hospitals other than Baptist
Union County before they arrive in Tupelo.
SUM MER 2014
55
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Summer 2014 - North Mississippi
Vim & Vigor - Summer 2014 - North Mississippi
Contents
From the CEO
Back in Action
Top Honors
Stress SOS
The Truth About Sunscreen
The Transformers
Get Your Head in the Game
The Journey Continues
On the Cover
The Foot Follies
Friendly Fat
Virtual Health
The Eyes Have It
Worth the Weight
Small Wonders
Catch the Spirit
Vim & Vigor - Summer 2014 - North Mississippi
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