Downtown Campus Implements Child Safety Technology
University of Iowa Health Care’s downtown campus has announced the integration of CertaScan technology within its neonatal care services, aiming to boost patient safety. This technology marks a significant step in safeguarding newborns and streamlining identification processes.
UI Health Care Medical Center Downtown recently adopted CertaScan technology. This system digitally scans newborn footprints, creating a precise, permanent record used throughout the child’s life. The system also incorporates maternal fingerprints, which are then linked to the newborn’s electronic health record.
UI Health Care had previously implemented this innovative technology at its university campus over a year ago. Jennifer Miller, MHA, MPH, RD, the chief administrative officer at UI Health Care Medical Center Downtown, stated, “The adoption of CertaScan technology is a testament to our commitment to providing the highest standard of care. This technology not only ensures the safety and security of our youngest patients but also exemplifies our dedication to innovation and excellence in healthcare.”
Dr. Christian Pettker, MD, department executive officer and the Jennifer R. Niebyl Chair in Obstetrics and Gynecology, emphasized the critical role of such advances, saying, “This type of technology, while we hope never to need it, could serve a vital purpose in identifying a missing child.”
CertaScan is non-invasive and captures high-resolution images that are securely stored. The implementation highlights UI Health Care’s ongoing commitment to utilizing advanced technology to improve patient care and enhance safety. Miller further noted that this move “underscores UI Health Care’s dedication to adopting innovative solutions that enhance the quality of care we provide to patients and their families.”
The hospital integrates these advances under its broader mission, hoping to change medicine and transform lives through advanced medical practices and technologies.
