Webcams Help Parents Keep Watch Over Their Babies During Hurricane Isaac

NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In May, Ochsner Medical Center installed a free webcam service in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), thanks to a generous donation from the Brees Dream Foundation, founded by Drew and Brittany Brees. These cameras became especially important during Hurricane Isaac, when many parents had to evacuate without their babies or were unable to visit the hospital.

The NICVIEW cameras allow a view into Ochsner's 42 NICU beds so parents can be with their babies virtually when they cannot be there physically. The NICVIEW web service allows those with a hospital-issued username and password to watch a secure, continuous video stream of their new bundle of joy.

After Hurricane Isaac subsided on Thursday, August 30, Paige and Paul Prechter were finally able to visit their five and a half week old twin daughters, Juliana and Savana. They had been watching them via the NICVIEW cameras during the storm.

"They were safer here at Ochsner than at home because of power [issues]," Paige said. "It was very comforting to know that we were able to see them. Being able to see that they were okay made you feel great inside."  She added, "We got a bit spoiled by the NICVIEW cameras. It's the next best thing you can get to seeing them in person."

"Parents need a sense of security, especially on a night like tonight," said Harley Ginsberg, MD, Section Head, Neonatology, Ochsner Medical Center, late on the evening of August 28. "Even though they had to relocate, they know their child is safe and sound here at Ochsner."

Ochsner Medical Center is the only hospital in Louisiana with the NICVIEW service. For more information, please visit ochsner.org/webcam.

Ochsner Health System is southeast Louisiana's largest non-profit, academic, multi-specialty, healthcare delivery system with eight hospitals and over 38 health centers in Louisiana. Ochsner has been named the Consumer Choice for Healthcare in New Orleans for 16 consecutive years and is the only Louisiana hospital recognized by U.S. News and World Report as a "Best Hospital" across 11 specialty categories. Ochsner employs more than 13,000 employees, over 850 physicians in over 90 medical specialties and subspecialties and conducts over 300 clinical research trials annually. Ochsner Health System is proud to be a tobacco-free environment. For more information, please visit ochsner.org and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

SOURCE Ochsner Medical Center