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SGH and SingTel launch web-based bonding with ICU babies For the first time in Singapore, family members of newborns under the specialist care
of SGH Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) are able to connect with their newborn
without being at the baby’s cot side.
Harnessing IT to provide value-added service in patient care, SGH’s Department of
Neonatal & Developmental Medicine and SingTel have jointly introduced a new
system known as “Virtual Visit”, which allows parents and extended family members
to view video/dynamic images of their infant via Internet or third-generation (3G)
connections on their mobile phones during designated times of the day.
Majority of the babies admitted to NICU are premature and the average length of stay
is about two months. Currently, only parents are allowed to visit their babies to
prevent the high-risk infants from community-acquired infections. Visitation rights
could be further restricted during an infectious disease outbreak. "It is physically challenging and emotionally draining for parents to maintain constant
visits to the NICU, especially when the fathers work long hours or are overseas.
Virtual Visit supplements parental contact and allow other family members to
contribute to decision-making process that may be required during the course of the
child’s stay in the NICU. Remote access enables this to be achieved regardless of
location. It also allows other family members to bond with the baby and be involved in
their care right from the beginning, giving parents the much-needed support. Virtual
Visit can help the entire family to be better involved in the discharge planning,”
explained Dr Yeo Cheo Lian, Head and Senior Consultant, Department of Neonatal &
Developmental Medicine. Mr Bill Chang, SingTel’s Executive Vice President of Business, said, “We are pleased
to work with SGH on this trial. The innovative use of communication solutions
complements hospital visits and also reduces the anxiety of parents whose babies
are under intensive care. Virtual Visit works on SingTel’s IP and 3G networks, which
offer users peace-of-mind and the convenience of viewing their loved ones from any
location with broadband access or on their 3G handsets – even when they are
overseas.” Virtual Visit system on trial The Virtual Visit system is currently on a 3-month trial and a total of three cameras
have been installed during the trial period each focusing on an infant. The service is
provided at no charge to parents who fulfill the selection criteria. The parents are
given a unique user ID and password to access SingTel’s secured portal to view the
video images of their infant. Once the infant has been transferred or discharged, the
user ID and password would no longer be valid. Parents are able to access and be connected with their newborn regardless of
location at the following designated time: 11am - 12.30pm, 5.30pm - 7pm, 11pm -
12.30am. Based on parents’ input and needs, reviews and adjustments may be done on the
timing of the scheduled visits. The Department plans to add three more cameras and
extend the service to include post-discharge care and guidance.
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