The Accutech ResidentGuard IS 3200 is our most comprehensive wander management solution. It is a software-enhanced system designed to deliver all of our safety features with easy-to-use functionality. The IS 3200 is ideal when a variety of alarm types are necessary to provide the necessary level of security – i.e. resident identification, loiter prevention, door-ajar monitoring, supervisor and low battery. Accutech’s ResidentGuard wander management systems gives Alzheimer’s, dementia and other “at-risk” residents the ability to move freely about their facilities while receiving the protection they need. Using advanced RFID technology, this perimeter-based security system puts your staff at ease while enabling them to direct their energies toward other critical tasks.

Each zone monitored by the Accutech ResidentGuard IS3200 wander management system is defined and configured to balance the safety of the residents monitored, their need for security and ease-of-use among the care providers. This solution notifies your staff which resident (as well as door location) is causing any/every wandering alarm. All Accutech wander alert systems can be integrated with nurse call, electronic access control (EAC), closed-circuit television (CCTV), fall detection and other existing security mechanisms within your facility.

A wandering (door) alarm alerts your staff when a door opens and a resident wearing a tag is detected in the monitored area. The resident’s identity and zone location are communicated to your staff via the IS3200 server computer. A local audible and visual alarm also occurs at the zone location. Reset needs to occur at the location of the event, forcing staff to respond to this possible elopement. Only authorized users (care providers) are able to escort a tagged resident beyond a monitored door location without an alarm occurring.

The loiter alarm notifies your staff if a tag is in a monitored zone for too long (with a minimum setting of 10 seconds and a maximum of 110). This is also recorded and logged into the server computer for future reports. The resident’s identity and zone location are saved to the IS3200 computer(s). Typically, this alarm is automatically reset when the loitering resident is moved out of the zone location.

The door ajar alarm notifies your staff if a door in a monitored zone has been held open for too long (with a minimum setting of 10 seconds and a maximum of 110). The zone location is saved to the IS3200 server computer. Typically, this alarm is automatically reset when the monitored door is closed.

The supervisor alarm notifies your staff if the tag antenna(s) or receiver antenna is defective, wires are cut, detuned, tampered with or damaged and is in need of attention while in a monitored zone. The software enables staff members access to reports designed for clinical, maintenance and administrative activities involving this resident safety solution. The zone location is also saved to the IS3200 server computer.

The low battery alarm indicates any tag(s) worn by residents that are transmitting a low battery signal when the tag enters any monitored zone. The resident’s identity and tag number are communicated to and displayed on the IS3200 server computer.

Benefits of the ResidentGuard IS 3200 Wander Management System include:
• Notification of staff if residents try to leave the facility or wander into restricted areas
• Easy-to-clean tags with LEDs to indicate when they are active
• Quick resident assignment
• Reduced costs due to long-life tags that can be turned on or off as necessary
• Lower cost of operation with free training and software updates
• Escort function
• Protection against elopement and loitering
• Compliance with NFPA, FCC, NEC and JCAHO requirements
• Free 24-hour technical support
• Full one-year warranty

For additional tips to prevent elopement, please see this blog post.

Accutech is a division of Innovative Control Systems, Inc. (ICS), an industry-leading supplier of quality security systems for over 25 years. Accutech provides RFID based Infant Protection and Patient Wanderer Security Systems. For more information, contact Chris Konicek at 10125 S. 52nd Street, Franklin, WI 53132, (414) 855-1121 or visit www.AccutechSecurity.com.

Since 1985 Accutech has been a leading developer, manufacturer, distributor and installer of RFID and wireless products.

RFID stands for radio-frequency identification. It is a technology that transfers data from a small electronic tag with a microchip to a nearby reader device through radio waves. In the last 25 years, it has seen many industrial uses from shipping and transport to mobile payment systems, animal tracking and identification, inventory management, casino chip tracking, race timing, and a myriad of security applications. It is the technology behind Accutech ResidentGuard wander management systems – used by health facilities caring for patients suffering from dementia at risk of elopement.

Our ResidentGuard wander alert systems include hardware known as readers and tags. The IS 3200 system, ideal for nursing homes and long-term care facilities that want resident identification through a centralized system, also includes a software interface to utilize data stored on the tags to deliver our complete range of safety options. Accutech RFID tags contain two parts, an integrated circuit or microchip that stores and processes data and generates (modulates and demodulates) the radio frequency signal and an antenna that transmits the signal to the reader device.

Our ResidentGuard wander management systems have fixed readers – usually set up above entrances and exits – creating a cloud of RF energy that alerts your staff when a patient wearing a tag enters the zone. All three perimeter-based security systems may be integrated with nurse call, electronic access control (EAC), closed-circuit television (CCTV), fall detection and other existing security mechanisms within your facility.

Our tags are securely attached to comfortable, easy-to-clean, water-resistant wrist bands worn by patients similar to a watch. A portable, handheld unit allows your staff to control tag function, and each reusable band provides low-battery notification with LED indicator to easily inform them whether or not a tag is operational. Our tags can also be turned on or off as necessary, ensuring long battery life and minimal maintenance.

All ResidentGuard wander alert systems meet the compliance standards set by NFPA, FCC, NEC and JCAHO. Our RFID technology uses the 418 MHz frequency – on the high end of the consumer radio frequency spectrum – preventing false alarms caused by other electronic devices. Accutech ResidentGuard systems experience the lowest rate of false alarms in the industry, allowing your staff to spend more time caring for patients and less time trouble-shooting systems.

Accutech is the leading manufacturer of advanced electronic monitoring and security systems for the health care industry. Using advanced radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, our wander alert and control systems put your staff at ease while enabling them to direct their energies toward other critical tasks. Our three ResidentGuard systems provide your facility with the flexibility you need to meet your wander management needs with affordable, reliable and expandable solutions that provide increasing security options to notify your staff if residents try to leave the facility or wander into restricted areas.

Accutech is a division of Innovative Control Systems, Inc. (ICS), an industry-leading supplier of quality security systems for over 25 years. Accutech provides RFID based Infant Protection and Patient Wanderer Security System. For more information, contact Chris Konicek at 10125 S. 52nd Street, Franklin, WI 53132, (414) 855-1121 or visit www.AccutechSecurity.com.

September 7, 2011. Franklin, WI - Accutech announces a 120% increase in the sales of their entry level wander management system, the LC 1200 over the last two years. This growth reflects a trend in the health care related security industry as the need for residential nursing care for patients at risk of elopement is expected to double in the next 20 years.

As the baby boom generation ages, the United States is undergoing a demographic change that is leading to a dramatic increase in the need for skilled nursing facilities. A large part of this need is driven by an increase in the number of people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Long term care for patients with all forms of dementia requires wander alert systems to protect against the risk of elopement. As a leading manufacturer of health care related security systems, Accutech is positioned to continue capitalizing on this trend in the market with their line of ResidentGuard wander management systems.

An estimated 5.3 million Americans currently suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. The vast majority of these people, 5.1 million, are senior citizens. This means that one out of eight people age 65 and older (13 percent) has Alzheimer’s disease. By the year 2030, baby boomers–77 million strong–will account for 20% of the total population in the United States, and health experts estimate that at least 10 million will develop Alzheimer’s. Barring medical advancements that provide a means to prevent and treat the disease more effectively, this number is expected to grow to between 11 and 16 million people by 2050. The demand for professional care to meet the specific needs of this population will mean a significant growth in the capacity of acute care hospitals, long term care facilities and assisted living facilities.

Care of patients suffering from all forms of dementia requires preventive safety measures including wander alert systems–the risk of elopement in this patient population is well known. In order to assure the loved ones of patients who have entrusted their care to a long term care facility, as well as to protect themselves against punitive litigation, facilities must mitigate this risk with perimeter-based security and monitoring systems. Businesses who provide residential care to patients suffering from dementia face extensive regulatory requirements as well as legal threats dealing with elopement–10% of litigation against long term care facilities involve an elopement, with an average out-of-court settlement of $393,650.00 in 2009.

The ResidentGuard LC 1200 System is an entry-level solution for facilities that need quick, cost-effective patient monitoring capabilities. It can be implemented as a stand-alone or centralized system and can be installed and serviced by a facilities maintenance department. All ResidentGuard wander management systems can interface into existing card access systems, locks, CCTV and elevator deactivation systems. To protect against false alarms, Accutech RFID technology utilizes the low-interference, 418 MHz frequency–unusually high on the consumer spectrum–preventing false alarms from interference caused by other electronic devices. Accutech ResidentGuard systems experience the lowest rate of false alarms in the industry, allowing a long term care facility’s staff to spend more time caring for patients and less time trouble-shooting systems.

About Accutech

Accutech has engineered, manufactured, distributed and serviced radio frequency identification (RFID) and wireless products since 1985. They are an industry leader in the infant protection systems, resident wandering and pediatric elopement fields, with ongoing development, implementation and integration of healthcare related security systems. Their markets primarily consist of hospitals, birthing centers, assisted living facilities, skilled nursing homes, sub-acute facilities and even residential homes. All Accutech systems are manufactured in the U.S., and backed by the industry’s most comprehensive customer support program.

“With millions more people expected to develop Alzheimer’s disease by the middle of the 21st century, the demand for wander management systems in long term care will explode.” – The Alzheimer’s Association

An estimated 5.3 million Americans currently suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. The vast majority of these people, 5.1 million, are senior citizens. This means that one out of eight people age 65 and older (13 percent) has Alzheimer’s disease. Baby Boomers–77 million strong–are soon to reach retirement age and have the highest life expectancy of any generation in American history. By the year 2030 they will account for 20% of the total population in the United States, and health experts estimate that at least 10 million will develop Alzheimer’s. Barring medical advancements that provide a means to prevent and treat the disease more effectively, this number is expected to grow to between 11 and 16 million people by 2050. The demand for professional care to meet the specific needs of this population will mean a significant growth in the capacity of acute care hospitals, long term care facilities and assisted living facilities.

Care of patients suffering from all forms of dementia requires preventive safety measures including wander management–the risk of elopement in this patient population is well known. In order to assure the loved ones of patients who have entrusted their care to a long term care facility, as well as to protect themselves against punitive litigation, facilities must mitigate this risk with perimeter-based security and monitoring systems. Businesses who provide residential care to patients suffering from dementia face extensive regulatory requirements as well as legal threats dealing with elopement–10% of litigation against long term care facilities involve an elopement, with an average out-of-court settlement of $393,650.00 in 2009.

Accutech is the leading manufacturer of advanced electronic monitoring and security systems, backed by the industry’s most comprehensive customer support program. Using advanced radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, our perimeter-based security systems put your staff at ease while enabling them to direct their energies toward other critical tasks, all while meeting the compliance standards of the NFPA, FCC, NEC and JCAHO. Our three ResidentGuard  wander management systems give Alzheimer’s, dementia and other “at-risk” residents the ability to move freely around your facility while receiving the protection they need and their families count on. All three systems may also be integrated with nurse call, electronic access control (EAC), closed-circuit television (CCTV), fall detection and other existing security mechanisms within your facility.

Long term care facilities whose patients suffer from dementia require technology to help monitor those at risk for elopement while maintaining the maximum therapeutic environment. Wander management is one of many systems required to meet the demands of this patient population and it is critical that the system be easy to use–with a minimal amount of support and training required–that it is reliable, unobtrusive and comfortable for the patient, cost effective and expandable. Accutech ResidentGuard systems meet these needs with a lower cost of operation–free training and software updates, free 24-hour technical support– and easy-to-clean, long-life tags that can be turned on or off as necessary with LEDs to indicate when they are active. Our three systems provide you with the flexibility you need to meet your wander management needs with affordable, reliable and expandable solutions that provide increasing security options to notify your staff if residents try to leave the facility or wander into restricted areas.

The ResidentGuard IS 3200 System is a software-enhanced solution designed to deliver our complete range of safety options coupled with intuitive, easy-to-use functionality. The system is ideal for nursing homes and other facilities in which resident identification, loiter prevention and door-ajar monitoring are necessary to provide the appropriate levels of security. Our mid-level system, the ES 2200, provides many of the key benefits of the IS 3200 System—including loiter and door-ajar monitoring—but without the need for a computer. This software-free system is easy to use and can be installed and serviced by your maintenance personnel. It can also be upgraded to an IS 3200 system should your needs grow over time. The ResidentGuard LC 1200 Wander Alert System is the ideal entry-level solution for facilities that need quick, cost-effective patient monitoring capabilities. It can be implemented as a stand-alone or centralized system, installed and serviced by your maintenance personnel. All of ResidentGuard wander management systems can interface into existing card access systems, locks, CCTV and elevator deactivation systems and come with a one year warranty.

In the demanding environment of a long term care facility, systems need to be reliable and accurate. False alarms and faulty and/or difficult to use equipment quickly becomes an annoyance to a facility’s staff and a detriment to patients’ care. Common problems with wander management systems include ineffectiveness and false alarms. Accutech ResidentGuard systems have several unique features to ensure effectiveness. The bands worn by residents are easily managed by your staff using a secure tag activator/deactivator and have LED indicators to show when they are active–a cut band detection option is also available. To protect against false alarms, our RFID technology utilizes the low-interference, 418 MHz frequency–unusually high on the consumer spectrum–preventing false alarms from interference caused by other electronic devices. Accutech ResidentGuard systems experience the lowest rate of false alarms in the industry. This allows your staff to spend more time caring for patients and less time trouble-shooting systems.

As the population in the United States ages and the need for skilled nursing homes rises dramatically, cost effective wander management systems that are dependable, expandable, and easy to operate and install are essential to the safe and compliant operation of the facilities that will provide this care. Understanding and meeting these needs with systems that assist caregivers instead of distracting them is critical to maintaining the safety of these patients. Using advanced RFID technology, our ResidentGuard wander management systems put your staff at ease while enabling them to direct their energies toward other critical tasks.

Accutech has engineered, manufactured, distributed and serviced radio frequency identification products in since 1985, making us a clear leader in the development, implementation and integration of healthcare-related security systems. As Accutech continues to shape the industry, we strive to learn and achieve what saves our customers time and money, while maintaining the dignity and safety of all the residents and patients whose safety is partially entrusted to one of our ResidentGuard wander management systems.

We’d like to thank everyone for stopping by the booth and making the AWHONN show a great success. It’s always great to see old faces and meet new people that have an interest in the infant security market. In case you didn’t have an opportunity to take a bear home from the show, we have several “Cuddles” teddy bears left that we can send out in case you didn’t have a chance to get one (please leave a comment below if you’d like one).

Chances are you had an opportunity to see a demo of our system and witnessed the capabilities of our skin-sensing “soft bracelet” (please click here for a video demo). We truly feel that the Accutech “Cuddles” infant protection system utilizes some of the most advanced RFID security technologies on the market and does the best job of allowing nurses to focus on managing their unit instead of managing a “system”.

We appreciate all of our current customers that stopped by and look forward to any potential opportunities to build on our satisfied customer base.

Feel free to take our survey, check out our blog, or follow us on twitter.

Once or twice a week, an alarm goes off at Saginaw Geriatrics Home in Saginaw, MI. Although it sounds like a smoke detector, it’s not warning everyone that there’s a fire. Rather the alarm is part of the Accutech ResidentGuard wander alarm system, and it’s letting staff know that an Alzheimers patient may be wandering away.

The current system at the Saginaw Geriatrics Home is an updated version of the facility’s old Acutech ResidentGuard VPU system.

“The reason why we went with [Accutech] again was not only cost effectiveness” says Administrator Don Mass. “but the updates to their equipment.”

The LC 1200 system employs wearable tags and entryway sensors to alert staff if a resident wanders away from the facility. It also can be integrated with nurse call systems, closed circuit TV and other existing security features.

The following article was featured as a “couldn’t live without product” in McKnights Long term Care magazine in April of 2010.

Accutech is a division of Innovative Control Systems, Inc. (ICS), an industry-leading supplier of quality security systems for over 25 years. Accutech provides RFID based Infant Protection and Patient Wanderer Security System. For more information, contact Chris Konicek at 10125 S. 52nd Street, Franklin, WI 53132, (414) 855-1121 or visit www.Accutech-ICS.com.

We receive several calls a day from potential customers that are searching for wander management solutions. Most of the time, our prospects are aware of what the system is supposed to accomplish, but aren’t aware (from a technical standpoint) of how our RFID based security systems work. For that reason, we’ve put together a brief overview of how our LC 1200 ResidentGuard wandering system functions in as simplified terms as possible.

Here is the basic description of system functionality, and the components used:

The LC1200 System is a resident egress monitoring system. The system consists of the LC Controller Unit (antenna), Magnetic Switch, Keypad, Power Supply & Cable Kit. It is designed to alert facility personnel of the possible egress of a monitored resident. Monitored residents wear RFID tags typically on their wrist or ankle. The tags have a blinking LED indicator light on them to give visual indication that they are “active” & functional. The Tags can be activated/deactivated with a Secure Tag Activator/Deactivator (STAD) handheld device.

When a resident enters a monitored zone (door, elevator, etc.), the Tag sends a signal to the LC Controller Unit. The LC Controller Unit processes this information for appropriate control action or response (e.g., sounding alarms or locking doors when integrated with delayed egress magnetic locks). Typically, an alarm won’t occur until a tag enters a monitored zone & the door is opened (causing the Magnetic Switch’s contact to be broken). All alarms must be reset at the location of the event, by entering the correct “reset code” in the keypad (and closing the door).

Accutech is a division of Innovative Control Systems, Inc. (ICS), an industry-leading supplier of quality security systems for over 25 years. Accutech provides RFID based Infant Protection and Patient Wanderer Security System. For more information, contact Chris Konicek at 10125 S. 52nd Street, Franklin, WI 53132, (414) 855-1121 or visit www.Accutech-ICS.com.

In an effort to expand our wandering product capabilities, Accutech has partnered with Inovonics as a preferred reseller.

These components are designed to be used primarily with the LC 1200 wandering systems and when configured properly, don’t require cabling to be run from the doors to staff alert panels. A universal transmitter (part # 700400) can be tied into the dry contacts on the controller and mounted inside of the white antenna box.

The Inovonics universal transmitters cannot be tied into any existing Accutech staff alert panels and require an Inovonics staff alert panel (part # 700403) and power supply (part # 500220). The staff alert panels can cover up to 11 wandering zones and a separate alarm is included. Inovonics repeaters (part # 700401) may also be required depending on the distance between the door and staff alert panel.

Accutech is a division of Innovative Control Systems, Inc. (ICS), an industry-leading supplier of quality security systems for over 25 years. Accutech provides RFID based Infant Protection and Patient Wanderer Security System. For more information, contact Chris Konicek at 10125 S. 52nd Street, Franklin, WI 53132, (414) 855-1121 or visit www.Accutech-ICS.com.

Accutech’s Resident Guard cut-band system technology, along with unparalleled experience and customer service have ensured the satisfaction of TLC Care Center in Las Vegas, NV.

“After researching a few companies, we found that Accutech had the most experience, best technology and highest level of professionalism and sales support.” Said Al Arzola, TLC Care Center’s facility manager.” The need for such a system stems from TLC’s expansion/remodeling of two separate memory care units.

The Resident Guard cut-band wandering system is a software-enhanced solution designed to deliver maximum hardware capabilities coupled with intuitive, easy-to-use software. If a band is removed, a “band alarm” will sound and the facility goes into a “lockdown” mode. The cut-band system also maintains the traditional functionality of a wandering system by providing loiter, door-ajar, supervisor and door alarms. The software can also provide reporting and resident identification.

Something else that stands out about the Accutech Resident Guard wandering system is the capability to turn resident tags on/off. This is done through a handheld device called the Secure Tag Activator/Deactivator (STAD). An LED on the tag is also a great feature that allows the staff to know that the tag is functioning through a visual protocol, as opposed to continually checking with a handheld device. Combining these features with one of the most interference-free RFID frequencies for wandering systems makes the Accutech Resident Guard system one of the best on the market.

All the Resident Guard systems can be interfaced with card readers and various access control components across a long term care facility or hospital. It’s also possible to interface with nurse call and paging systems.

In addition to the IS 3200 system, Accutech offers the ES 2200 that includes similar features to the IS 3200 without the computer and the LC 1200 system for a more basic, cost-effective solution.

Accutech is a division of Innovative Control Systems, Inc. (ICS), an industry-leading supplier of quality security systems for over 25 years. Accutech provides RFID based Infant Protection and Patient Wanderer Security System. For more information, contact Chris Konicek at 10125 S. 52nd Street, Franklin, WI 53132, (414) 855-1121 or visit www.Accutech-ICS.com.

A recent abduction at Duke Hospital demonstrates the reality of infant abductions. “On April 20, 2010 an infant was taken from the nursery. The hospital credits a diligent, highly-trained staff and the use of an infant security system to prevent the abductor from leaving the facility.

From 1983 to 1998, 177 infants were abducted according to the national Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Of that total, 100 babies were taken from the hospital (57 from the mother’s hospital room) and 94 were recovered. According to JCAHO, infant abductions are usually premeditated acts; however, in most cases the particular infant abducted is taken out of impulse or opportunity.

According to Child Find (www.childfind.org) there is a general profile for potential abductors and the infants abducted. These behaviors/characteristics should be known by hospital staff and mothers.

Profile of the Abductor

- Usually female and on average 30-years-old.

- Normally overweight

- Generally no prior criminal record.

- Appearing normal, but emotionally immature or compulsive.

- Has low self-esteem

- Wants to replace a lost infant or one unable to conceive.

- Announces “phantom” pregnancy and prepares for an awaiting birth as an expectant mother would.

- Will make themselves known and become familiar with the hospital personnel and even the infant’s parents.

- Usually visits the nursery prior to the abduction asking detailed questions about hospital procedures and unit layout.

- May visit more than one hospital to assess security measures and explore infant populations

- Might not target a particular infant, but take the most available.

- Unlikely to leave the community from which the infant was taken.

Profile of the Infant

- Usually seven days old or younger.

- Perceived by the abductor as their newborn.

- Same race as the abductor or abductor’s companion.

Prevention Tips

Safety and security are key areas that should be involved in systems designed to prevent infant abduction. Multiple vendors have products, alarms, and other measures for protection. Hospitals should evaluate the various product options to ensure selections meet their needs.

Additionally, hospitals should establish specific guidelines for staff to follow in the event of an infant abduction. Families should also be instructed concerning abduction prevention.

The following are information and ideas to aid in creating guidelines and precautions for infant abduction prevention.

From ankle bracelets to private entrance codes, hospitals go to great lengths to provide a secure environment for mothers and their newborns.

Safe Environment

The hospital environment should be assessed for potential security measures. Make sure your hospital is equipped with the following:

- Security cameras in strategic locations like the nursery, stairwells, doorways, elevators, and hallways to monitor the incoming and outgoing activity.

- Fire doors equipped with special alarms. Install alarms with time-delay locks on stairwells and exit doors.

- Consider installing an electronic surveillance detection system.

- Use baby identification bands and check the band number with the mother/father/caregiver’s number before giving the infant to either parent. Also, staff should know to check the same bands for corresponding numbers before the infant is released from the hospital.

- Electronic key-card system in newborn areas for staff.

- Nurseries and maternity wards are located away from lobbies with street access with doors always locked.

Patient Information

Measures for infant identification include a variety of standard methods plus new devices:

- Foot prints

- Hand/finger prints

- Head shots

- Written description of the infant, medical records, and special identifying marks

- Infant Protection Systems with baby identification bracelets and alarms (www.Accutech-ICS.com). Such systems have special ID devices that will set off alarms if the bracelet is cut or if an infant is taken from the unit/facility without permission.

- Numbered umbilical cord clamps with matching identification wrist bands. These bands should be secured on the infant’s ankle and wrist and the matching two should be placed on both the mother and father/caregiver’s wrists.

- Mark infant gowns at the neckline with the hospital name and logo so the infant is able to be quickly identified as a patient of the hospital.

- Infant blankets should be marked on all four corners so the infant is readily identified as a patient of the hospital.

Staff Identification

Proper identification of hospital personnel is critical as an abductor may pose as a nurse, doctor, or other staff member.

- All hospital personnel must wear photo identification badges with the hospital logo. Each ID badge must be worn on the outside of their clothing with the photograph facing outward.

“I look for the pink badges,” said Amey Walters, a new mother at Intermountain Healthcare Hospital in Utah. She said she appreciates the hospital’s security measures. The hospital workers wear special pink bars on their name tags to identify them as nurses who are allowed to handle the newborns.

- Anyone transporting the infant outside of the mother’s room must wear an identification wristband and can only transport a newborn by use of a crib or isolette. Nursing staff, physicians, mother/father/caregiver with valid corresponding wristband are the only people to transport the infant.

Nurse Janet Frank, public relations director for Orem Community, American Fork, and Utah Valley Regional Medical hospitals in Utah, said baby transporters have a special method of carrying the infant. “If a baby isn’t being transported that way, we know there is a problem,” she said.

- Staff should identify themselves to the mother, instruct the mother of procedures their infant will be taken for, and expect the mother to question anyone not properly identified.

Visitor Identification

Consider ways to provide visiting times for families and friends while ensuring proper precautions are in place.

- All visitors must immediately sign-in at the nurses’ station upon arrival. Ask the visitor which mother they want to see, and each visitor must be signed out when leaving.

- Distinctive stickers with the date of the visit should be obtained at the check-in area and given to visitors to wear while in the hospital.

- No person should be allowed in without proper identification.

- Mothers should be asked to designate a limited number of visitors who can come to the nursery.

“We only allow people to view the baby with permission from the parents,” said Kim Harmon, director of women’s services at Timpanogos Regional Hospital in Utah.

- Only allow visitors up to five minutes of observation time per visit to the neonatal nursery.

Staff Related Factors

Poor preparation and training create inconsistency and confusion, which abductors can use as an opportune time for a potential abduction. Ensure the following:

- Abduction prevention measures should be reviewed regularly and there should be adequate ongoing, in-service training. Infant-abduction drills should be preformed on a regular basis. Many hospitals are aware of the risk of infant abduction and several of these hospitals do routine “baby abduction drills” in the mother/baby units. Hospital staff doesn’t always know if the code called is a drill or the real thing; and they all have to make sure their patients are accounted for.

Timpanogos Regional Hospital’s marketing and public relations director, Jacque Brown, said at one of the drills they used a test patient, where a baby was registered with an identification badge, and then taken out of the hospital by a family member. The mother played along as though her baby was actually missing.

“I think the scariest thing we’ve ever done is actually one of these drills. We knew what was going on, but the staff did not,” Brown said. As it is done with all of the drills, the hospital went into lockdown, but this time there was a real baby missing.

- Hospital personnel should be alert to any unusual behavior they encounter from individuals such as:

o Repeated visiting “just to see” or “hold” the infants

o Questioning about hospital procedures and floor layout such as “When is feeding?” or “Where are the stairs located?”

o Taking uniforms or other means of hospital identification.

o Physically carrying an infant in the hospital instead of using a crib or isolette

o Anyone carrying large packages, totes or duffel bags off the nursing unit should have their belongings examined.

Such behavior should be reported immediately to the unit supervisor.

- Be aware of the possibility of diversionary tactics being used as a part of the abduction. An abductor could create a disturbance in another area of the hospital to create an opportune distraction.

- Be conscious of targeted rooms like those out of view of the nurses’ station, close to stairwells, fire exits or elevators.

- Nursery doors should remain locked and never left unattended.

Policies and Procedures

- All infant abduction protocols and response plans should be in writing and known to all hospital staff.

- Ensure that either the mother or the nursing staff always supervises infants. The infant should always remain in the direct line of sight of either the hospital staff or mother/father/caregiver. Infants should never be left unsupervised.

- Provide the parent(s) with educational material and handouts explaining hospital policies in place to protect the safety of infants. Also, teach the parents/family the importance of abduction precautions.

- Instruct the patient/family to notify the nursing staff immediately if they have any questions or concerns.

- Do not post the mother or infant’s name, address, or telephone number where it is visible to visitors.

- Only give out information about the infant to the mother/father/caregiver and always verify the infant ID number on the wristbands before releasing the information.

- Infants should be taken to mothers one at a time.

- Require visual proof of the identification and matching wristband for a person taking an infant from the hospital.

- At the time of discharge, the mother/dischargee must bring the mother’s ID band and photo ID.

After analysis of several recently reported infant abductions, JCAHO found problems in the procedures and systems of hospitals.

Common Problems

- Security equipment not available, operational or used as intended

- Problems in visualization of key areas

- Inadequate patient education

- Staff related problems

- Information related problems

- Cultural factors inhibiting confronting unidentified visitors

Ways to Minimize Error

1. Reduce reliance on memory. Nurses, doctors, and other hospital staff have an overwhelming amount to remember daily. Use checklists for assessments and procedures.

2. Simplify. Keep policies and procedures simple to guarantee staff compliance, but complete to ensure patient safety. Reducing the number of steps makes it easier for staff to remember, fulfill and perform policies and procedures.

3. Regulate. All policies, procedures and forms should be clearly documented and standardized. Staff must be oriented, trained and demonstrate competence in these policies. All nurses should be instructed during an initial orientation and each quarter in abduction prevention procedures, precautions, and guidelines.

4. Use restrictions. If a divergence/discrepancy occurs in procedure, create a “stop” process so that proper action must be ensured before proceeding. If any difference occurs in patient identification or transport to mother, create “stops” so the baby is identified and secured.

5. Inform. Actively involve mothers in the care of their newborn. Inform the parent(s) about policies and procedures that are designed for infant safety and security.

6. Reduce handoffs. Reducing the number of steps, persons involved and handoffs will reduce the risk of errors.

“If mom wants to give the baby to grandma, that’s mom’s choice, but the hospital staff [is] only going to give the baby to mom,” said Brown.

Have the same personnel provide care as much as possible to reduce inconsistency and risk of unfamiliar personnel. Multiple caregivers or handoffs to other departments increase the chance that the mother may not know who is with her baby.

7. Keep a safe environment. Make sure the hospital work environment focuses on safety and prevention. Ensure that there is good visibility of infants and entry/exits, restricted access to unauthorized personnel and the ability to “lock down” quickly.

8. Team training. An effective team will make fewer errors so training can enhance teamwork. Develop mechanisms to train new and current staff on policies/procedures, safety measures, new equipment and ensure proficiency. Also, encourage feedback because this will correct behaviors leading to problems and will minimize error.

A good idea is to establish a review mechanism for identifying system errors to reduce errors rather than focusing blame on individuals.

Infant abductions are generally infrequent, yet devastating for anyone involved. It is important for hospital staff, nurses, and the mother and father/caregiver to be aware of the potential threat and to keep security measures in mind. Preventative methods and guidelines are the first step to creating a safe environment for a newborn. The second is continuing to follow through with the precautions. This is something that can be prevented.

References

Child Find (www.childfind.org)

Delisi, T (1998). Infant Security. Journal of Newborn Nursing. 3:5-6.

Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) (www.ihi.org)

Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. (1996). Security in the Healthcare Environment.

Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. (1998). Sentinel events: Evaluating Cause and Planning Improvement. Chapter 7: “Approaches to Error Reduction and

Prevention”. Sentinel Event Alert, April 9, 1999.

Rabun, J.B., For Healthcare Professionals: “Guidelines on Preventing Infant Abductions.” Arlington, VA: National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (June 1993).

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (June 1993). Guidelines on Preventing Abduction of Infants from the Hospital.

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (1998). An Analysis of Infant Abductors. Arlington, VA.
White, Susan V., “Helpful Hints on Preventing Infant Abduction.” The Florida Hospital Association. Florida: (Dec. 1999)

Accutech is a division of Innovative Control Systems, Inc. (ICS), an industry-leading supplier of quality security systems for over 25 years. Accutech provides RFID based Infant Protection and Patient Wanderer Security System. For more information, contact Chris Konicek at 10125 S. 52nd Street, Franklin, WI 53132, (414) 855-1121 or visit www.Accutech-ICS.com