The visitor restrictions in place at hospitals across the country can be tough on the families of newborns who are anxious to get to know and hold their little ones. This is especially true for the parents of infants who need to be cared for in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) before they are able to go home. For the safety of these most vulnerable patients, no visitors, even parents, are currently allowed in the NICU at Methodist Hospitals.
With the help of Griffith High School and the Methodist Information Technology team, Methodist Hospitals is helping to relieve the anxiety of NICU babies’ parents. With school closed for the rest of the school year, Griffith High School was able to loan a number of iPads to Methodist Hospitals that are being used by nurses in the NICU unit to connect parents with their infants via the FaceTime video phone call app.
“We are so grateful to have these iPads,” said Christine Murphy, Director of Methodist Hospitals Women and Children Services. “Connecting new mothers and fathers with their infants reassures them that their babies are in a safe environment and progressing well. It really helps them to feel more connected and more engaged in their babies’ care.”
“We continue to be overwhelmed by the generosity of our community, Said Matt Doyle, Methodist Acting CEO. From donations of food, to gifts of masks and other Personal Protective Equipment to intubation boxes and now these iPads, we are inspired by the support shown for our hospitals and for our courageous and dedicated staff.”
About Methodist Hospitals
Methodist Hospitals is a community-based, not-for-profit health system with two full-service acute care facilities in Gary and Merrillville, Indiana, that has been leading the way to better health for residents of Northwest Indiana for almost 100 years. Methodist Hospitals offers a number of award – winning programs, including its Neuroscience, Oncology, Heart and Vascular Institutes and Breast Care Center. Its range of services also includes Women & Children’s Services, Bariatric Surgery services, Emergency & Trauma services, Immediate Care Centers, an Orthopedic & Spine Care Center, Sports Medicine, comprehensive Rehabilitation Services, Behavioral Health and Home Health Services. It has earned Magnet® designation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Hospital Accreditation.
A photo of Registered Nurse Kerrie Donovan helping a mother connect with her newborn via Facetime in the Methodist Hospitals NICU is attached.
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Media Contact
Linda Hadley
Director, Marketing and Corporate Communications
219-886-4779
lhadley@methodisthospitals.org
