Precis - Baby protection

SOPHISTICATED new baby protection system is now being introduced to maternity units in the UK .

A number of maternity units across the country have already introduced the Visonic Technologies BabyMatch system to safeguard against infant snatching and possible HIV infection through baby mix-ups.

Visonic Technologies Chief Operating Office Tony Mann said: "Prevention of abduction is a very high priority for health authorities. New parents need to be confident that their baby is 100 per cent safe in the maternity ward.
There are occasions when the mother is sleeping, or leaves her baby while she bathes or eats, and it is at these times when the baby is most vulnerable."

There are around 10 to 12 baby abductions in Britain each year, with high profile cases during the past couple of years forcing many hospitals to review their security measures in maternity units.

Another increasing concern in maternity units is the possibility that a mother could mistakenly breastfeed the wrong baby - causing the possible transfer of HIV or other infections if mother or baby were already infected.

Mr Mann said: "The BabyMatch system allows the mother to be 100 per cent certain that she has her own baby at all times. It will completely eliminate the danger of cross-infection through mistaken identity of the baby."

The BabyMatch system starts immediately after birth, when a personalised electronically programmed tag is attached to the ankle of the baby. This allows the system to constantly monitor the baby's whereabouts, sounding an alarm if anyone attempts to remove the tag or move the baby through a door without an authorised escort.

The mother also receives an electronically paired wrist tag that she just needs to press to activate a test match, to be certain that she has her own baby.

Nurses can also use tags when they have to take babies to other parts of the hospital for treatment, enabling the infant to be continually tracked.

BabyMatch uses patented IRFID triple technology (IR, RF and RF low frequency - LF signals) to monitor an infant's whereabouts in real-time and notify of abduction and mismatch.

Mr Mann added: "BabyMatch is far more effective than other security tagging systems on the market because it is tamper-proof and can not be beaten by a potential abductors wrapping the tag in aluminium foil or using metal as a
barrier.

BabyMatch unique features include:
· Easy application and activation
· Unique, simple mechanism for tightening of tag band whilst still attached to baby.
· Escort alert when a baby passes through an exit without an approved escort. Only an authorized person can escort a baby outside the nursery or ward. (This person could be the mother or a staff member, depending on the
system configuration.)
· Tamper alert whenever an attempt is made to remove a baby's tag.
· Match test (a mother can perform an electronic match test to determine if the baby belongs to her or not).
· Missing alert (if the tag is missing from the system or if a baby is missing).
· Constant real-time baby counting (wearing an active tag).
· Baby Match can also be customised to activate audio-visual alarms, CCTV recording and other security, door-locking and communication systems.
· Easy to use touch screen panels for security staff.
· Water resistance tags allows for easy cleaning and sterilization.

Visonic Technologies is based in Bedford and specialises in providing integrated identification solutions to enhance security, safety and communications.

For more information call 0870 730 0840.

(31/8/04)ardine-michelson.com