Newborn baby care is constantly evolving thanks to innovative technologies. In this article we discuss five smart developments for the care of the little ones in the Netherlands. From HD viewing of your baby, smart steam equipment to ultra-modern reception tables.
1. Virtual Reality in Birth Care
An emerging trend in maternity care is the use of virtual reality (VR). In this way, the experience of pregnancy and childbirth can be improved. It’s still in its early stages, but VR seems to have a lot of potential. Because by being able to ‘experience’ in advance what a birth will be like, expectant mothers can better prepare and relax during childbirth. But there’s more. Because what if, through the use of Virtual Reality (VR), the pain score during childbirth can be reduced and the number of referrals related to a need for pain relief can be reduced? That is exactly what the KNOV (The Royal Dutch Organization of Midwives) has to deal with experimented. Out these and more Small experiments show that Virtual Reality (VR) has a positive effect on relaxation and reduction of pain during childbirth. That is why ten midwifery practices have started a VR pilot at the initiative of the KNOV and the Zuyderland Hospital. The first results leave you wanting more. The data collection on these pilots will continue until April 2024. In the meantime, the KNOV has a implementation tool published for obstetric practices that want to start using Virtual Reality as additional non-medicinal support during childbirth.
2. State-of-the-art Reception Tables: Dräger Babyroo
The Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital (ETZ) in the Netherlands has as one of the first hospitals in the Netherlandsd made a great step in the care of newborn babies by introducing the Dräger Babyroo reception tables. These advanced tables are used for the acute care of newborns. They provide an ergonomic workplace for caregivers and include modern thermoregulation functions. This technology contributes to family-centered care by placing newborns directly skin-to-skin with their mother while providing the necessary support. The radiant heater heats the mattress surface evenly and continuously, limiting hypothermia in a premature baby and preventing cold stress. Why is the heating table called Babyroo? ‘Because our goal in neonatal care is to give every baby a good start in life, and a safe — and as natural as possible — place to grow. Actually just like in the pouch of a mother kangaroo,” says the manufacturer. Medical technologist Peter Croes says he is happy with the heating tables: ‘All new developments in acute care have been integrated into the Babyroo, which ensures consistency and efficiency in care provision.’
3. Data Exchange for Better Pregnancy Care
Data exchange in maternity care is crucial for the health of mothers and babies. Recently has MedMij the data service “Collecting Integrated Pregnancy Card” has been officially published. This makes it easier for healthcare providers to access relevant medical data during pregnancy and childbirth. This innovation should improve care coordination and ensure that mothers receive the best possible care. With this service, clients will soon be able to retrieve their own data that is known to the midwife in their Personal Health Environment (PGO). And that’s just the beginning! More and more information will be added in the coming months, including maternity and ultrasound information.
4. Watch premature babies in HD
One of the nicest innovations in baby care is the opportunity for parents, grandparents and caregivers to watch their premature child/grandchild in HD. The baby is then in the incubator, but this allows you to see the child as family and parents. This does not always go smoothly, due to glitches in the system. The neonatology department at the Albert Schweitzer hospital in Dordrecht will soon do something about this by purchasing advanced camera and streaming technology. Previously, the image faltered and was not as sharp – and that is of course what you do not want. As can be read in the news item from RTV Dordrecht, this new level of observation provides reassurance to families. They can monitor the baby remotely even if they are not physically present. But the department is not there yet with cameras alone, says a healthcare provider: ‘The associated software as we have it now is unfriendly for both parents and nurses.’
5. Price for durable vacuum pump
At the beginning of November, Dieuwertje received Drexhage the Albert Schweitzer Prize 2023 with sustainable innovation for global maternity care. She developed a user-friendly, reusable vacuum pump that doctors can use during deliveries. Dieuwertje, a graduate of TU Delft, can now call himself ‘Health Pioneer of the Year 2023’.
In addition to this title, the prize carries a sum of €7,500. This money will be used by the prize winner for the further development of vela®, the reusable vacuum extractor that can be reused 100 times and reduces CO2 emissions by 40%. vela® is the first product from LAYCOa start-up, of which Dieuwertje is a co-founder.
With the annual Albert Schweitzer Prize, the NASF (Dutch Albert Schweitzer Fund) wants to encourage young people to use their talent to improve healthcare in developing countries.
2023-11-02 15:41:57
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