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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