The tragic April 2012 infant abduction case in Texas in which a young mother was murdered and her three-day old son was taken highlights the lengths at which someone will go to obtain a child.

According to National Center For Missing and Exploited Children, of the 17 infants abducted in 1991, 11 of them were taken from health care facilities. Jump to 2009, and of the 11 infants abducted just three were taken from a healthcare facility. Increased safety measures within hospitals have reduced the number of on-site abductions but may have driven the abductors outside and into the world where infants may be easier to obtain.  Unfortunately this has also meant an increase in the violence used to abduct the child.

Infant abductors often fit a specific behavioral profile.

What drives this person, almost always a woman, to stalk and kill another mother and take her child? Criminologists and psychologists have come together to create list of traits that an infant abductor may demonstrate to give law enforcement and caregivers a “profile” to be aware of.

Almost all abductors will fake a pregnancy and include family and friends in the preparations. Most will also use this pregnancy as a means to keep a husband or boyfriend in the relationship. They will use some prosthetic device to simulate pregnancy and will pretend to undergo symptoms.

The abductor may also either befriend the victim or place themselves in a position to observe and identify the infant to take. In the Texas case the abductor was a nurse who may have been able to watch her victim before acting. Abductors may also frequent one or more hospitals or maternity wards to gauge security measures, chat up staff or even parents.The ruse may seem airtight but in hindsight many family and friends remember instances or behavior inconsistent with pregnancy. Going to “doctor visits” alone or lacking sonograms, not being familiar with aspects of being pregnant or becoming increasingly depressed or nervous as the imagined due date approaches.

As the end of the pretend pregnancy nears the woman will feel more and more pressure to “deliver” an infant and this is when desperation will overwhelm normal thought processes and the abduction will be attempted. As demonstrated in recent events and in the past the attempt ends in tragedy for everyone involved and violates the peace of mind of all new parents.

Accutech works with hospitals to prevent infant abductions with the Cuddles infant protection system. It pairs with existing security protocol to stop an attempted abduction before the infant is even off the premises. Cuddles eases the worry of parents and caregivers so they can enjoy the beautiful first days of being a family.

Accutech offers our condolences to any family who has been touched by infant abduction.

We’ve just returned from the 2012 AWHONN Annual Convention in National Harbor, MD and it was a tremendous success. Many of you stopped by to say hello or introduce yourselves and learn more about the products and systems offered by Accutech.

Some of you were gracious enough to fill out an informal product survey to help us learn more about you and the infant protection systems you use. We’re pleased to relay the results and even more pleased to learn that those of you who use Accutech’s Cuddles infant protection system are very satisfied with it and we appreciate all the positive comments.

Of 230 attendees surveyed there were some primary concerns with the infant protection systems they are currently using. And while some were satisfied with the systems in place they elaborated about the drawbacks of each.

Some survey comments addressed the wristband. Many were bothered by the number of times the band slipped off due to post-partum weight loss. Excess tightening to prevent “too loose alarms” brought more complaints from new mothers and other caregivers. The hard plastic of some bands compounded the difficulty and caused more concern.

Other survey participants mentioned the number of false alarms and the alarm fatigue that comes with it. Some false alarms occur when radio frequency interference is caused by nearby machinery or other outside signals.  They can also happen when bands slip off because of post-partum weight loss. Maintaining a safe environment can be a challenge when continuing false alarms reduce the urgency of clearing every one.

One of the last concerns cited in the survey was the need for sterilization and cleaning of umbilical security tags. These tags  can sometimes be classified under the same umbrella as surgical instruments and are required to be sent off-site for sterilization. The tags also interfere with umbilical IV administration and can’t be used in tandem with it.

The Accutech Cuddles infant protection system avoids and addresses these issues. The self-adjusting soft band compensates for post-partum weight loss and avoids the false alarms that come with slippage. The soft, cushioned band is also comfortable and won’t irritate newborn skin. Cuddles also has a very low interference rate as it operates at a unique frequency that’s just below the maximum mandated by the Department of Defense.  This makes the system less prone to outside influences that cause false alarms.

The Accutech Cuddles system also features pagers and two-way radio systems that integrate seamlessly with the wristband technology.  Our operating software has a short training time and can activate tags, admit and discharges patients, and generate reports quickly and easily.

The Accutech infant protection system is a holistic approach to securing infants when they are at their most vulnerable and avoids the common problems associated with other systems. To learn more please contact us at (800) 356-267.  And thanks again to all of our new friends from AWHONN.

A woman who admitted to abducting an infant from a Manhattan hospital in 1987 was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Ann Pettway pleaded guilty in February, and was faced by the mother of the girl, now 26 years old, during sentencing.

Infant protection is critical to prevent tragedy.

“I had only spent 19 days with my daughter,” Joy White told Pettway, who admitted stealing White’s daughter when she was just 19 days old.

“I bathed her. I changed her. I put lotion on her. I put bows in her hair. She got a 104-degree fever, and we brought her to the hospital, and the doctors said she would have to be treated for a week. How could anybody rip intravenous tubes out of a sick baby and take her?”

The baby girl, named Carlina Renae White, was taken to Harlem Hospital in New York City on August 4, 1987 to be treated. Early the next day hospital staff discovered Carlin was missing.

And for 23 years the child grew to a young woman never knowing she was living with the wrong family. When Carlina, now known as Nejdra, was pregnant with her own child she had difficulties obtaining a birth certificate and became suspicious. Ultimately she contacted the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and DNA tests confirmed that she was not Pettway’s child. Pettway turned herself into the FBI shortly after she was reunited with her birth mother. Carlina chose to stay in Georgia an avoid the difficult scene.

Both families listened as Pettway’s defense lawyer explained her difficult life as one of ten children by five fathers, physical and sexual abuse, pregnancy at 15 with an ongoing series of stillbirths and miscarriages, including one a few months before the abduction.

Carlina’s relationship with her birth parents is ongoing and difficult but all of them are optimistic. There is no possible way they will have the relationship they were meant to have but, with time, they may find the love they lost long ago.

Unfortunately it’s too late to stop this tragedy but infant abductions are more and more difficult thanks to preventative measures taken by healthcare facilities. Staff education is critical; Pettway fit many of the traits of a classic infant abductor and knowing the signs can prevent a potential incident. Technology is also a key defender in infant protection and the Accutech Cuddles system is leading the way with comfortable, self-adjusting wristbands and support tools that keep maternity floors secure and new patients safe.

August Saw One Successful Abduction and Another Attempted Abduction, highlighting the need for the Accutech Cuddles Infant Protection System

It is a new mother’s worst nightmare; in the days after giving birth, her newborn baby is abducted from the hospital or birthing center as she rests. While this threat is rare, it is real, as recent incidents including one at Magee-Women’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA on August 23rd and another attempted infant abduction in Southern California make clear.

A newborn baby wearing an Accutech Cuddles tag/band

As is common with infant abductors, Breona Moore, 19, of McKeesport had been telling her family that she was pregnant for months. Last Thursday, she entered the room of Rhonda King and her 3-day old baby Bryce at the Magee-Women’s Hospital after telling a nurse she was Ms. King’s sister. According to Ms. King’s grandmother, Thelma Broughton, the suspect entered the room posing as a nurse. “She said she was taking the baby to get a checkup, that she would bring the baby right back. But she never came back.”

A press release from Magee-Women’s Hospital states that a nurse removed the infant’s security tag at 12:34 p.m. just prior to the mother and baby being released. A security camera shows a woman later identified as Breona Moore leaving the hospital with the baby at 1 p.m. “At 1:15 p.m., the father alerted the staff that the family was ready to depart and then it was determined that the baby was missing. Hospital staff immediately searched the unit and followed other internal security procedures. Police were called at 1:44 p.m.” A tip from the suspect’s family led police to the suspect and the successful recovery of the infant unharmed. “The baby abducted today from Magee-Women’s Hospital of UPMC has been examined by our physicians and found to be in good health,” said the release. “Mother and baby have been reunited.” The statement goes on to say that, “While we will review our security procedures, it was obvious that our training and internal drills prepared us to respond quickly in cooperation with both the Pittsburgh Police and the FBI. Everyone did a great job and we are grateful for a positive outcome.”

In a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article about the abduction, the reporters interviewed several people who have given birth at Magee-Women’s Hospital about security procedures. While all acknowledged the protocols in place, one father of triplets, who spent two months in Magee’s neonatal unit, commented on the frequent number of false alarms he heard during his time there. When a mother and baby reach the postpartum room, a tag with an RFID security chip in it is placed around the infant’s ankle. The security chip triggers an alarm if it ever gets loose or cut: lights flash, doors lock, and an announcement comes over the public address system that “a ‘hugs’ band has come loose.” Several other parents said that the security tags often fell off and created false alarms.

False alarms can be caused by security bands falling off of infants in the days after their birth due to improper application, postpartum weight loss, or by radio frequency interference caused by nearby machinery or other outside signals. Maintaining a safe environment can be a challenge when persistent false alarms reduce the urgency of addressing each new alert. False alarms on maternity floors are disruptive and upsetting to new parents and can harm the quiet environment fostered by nursing staff. They may also lead to alarm fatigue, which reduces the urgency required to respond. Infant protection systems must be sophisticated enough to overcome these challenges and remain a trusted and effective security tool. The Cuddles system from Accutech Security addresses these issues with several key features. The Cuddles infant protection system self-adjusting soft band bracelet compensates for postpartum weight loss and avoids the false alarms that come with slippage. The soft, cushioned band is also comfortable and won’t irritate newborn skin, so it can be applied snuggly when the baby is born. Cuddles has the lowest interference rate of any infant protection system as it operates at a unique frequency that’s just below the maximum mandated by the Department of Defense, making the system less prone to outside influences that cause false alarms. In addition, there is a mother and baby match option to protect against accidental “baby switching”.

While incidents of babies being switched or abducted from a hospital or birthing center do not happen often, when they do, it serves as a reminder for the importance of a vigilant, well-trained staff and protective technology that triggers an alarm if an infant is taken out of the unit or their wristband is cut. Mother and baby match technology also ensures that there is never a mistaken identity leading to parents taking home the wrong child. These critical technology components must work consistently, be operated easily and be trusted by nurses and staff in order to be effective in keeping maternity wards secure and new patients safe.

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, 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.

The August abduction attempt of an infant in Pittsburgh was thankfully not succcessful and three-day old Bryce Coleman was recovered unharmed within hours and returned to his mother.

Parents working with hospital staff can prevent abductions together.

The kidnapper had purchased nursing scrubs with the hospital’s name on them in the days before the abduction and was wearing them when she entered the maternity ward.

The hospital, Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, had infant abduction protocol in place, including a security bracelet on little Bryce’s leg but it had been removed in the mother’s presence just minutes before he was abducted.

The National Center For Missing and Exploited Children has recommendations for new parents while they are in the hospital. Parents in partnership with hospital staff will create a formidable obstacle to anyone hoping to walk in and walk out with an infant.

• Talk with your nursing staff and inquire about the facility’s infant security protocols.
• ALWAYS ask staff for identification and ask why and where they are taking your baby. Be sure to look carefully at the staff member’s badge. Most facilities have specific badges for staff members on the Maternal Child Health Unit. If you do not feel comfortable with the identification or the staff member attempting to pick up your baby, call the nursing staff immediately. Be aware that just because someone is wearing scrubs does not mean that they work at the facility or have the authority to transport your baby. These days, hospital scrubs can be bought at Wal-Mart.
• If your baby is taken for tests, exams, photographs, etc, ask the staff member how long this procedure will take.
• You and your baby will have ID bands with matching numbers. Be sure the staff is verifying this number with you every time your baby is brought back to your room. Do not take this band off or share your ID band number with anyone. If you lose your ID band, be sure to notify the staff right away.
• Many facilities will put an infant security alarm on your child. Do not remove this alarm. If it loosens, notify your nursing staff. The band used by Accutech’s Cuddles system is specially designed not to become loose due to postpartum weight loss.  It’s also important to note that removal of the band in the August incident triggered an alarm but it was ignored as alarm fatigue was common on the ward.
• NEVER leave your baby unattended or alone for any reason. When you need to use the restroom or shower, bring your baby (in the crib) into the bathroom with you so that you can hear and see your baby at all times. Otherwise, call your nursing staff to watch your baby.
• Keep your baby the furthest point away from the doorway and close to your bed.

Being vigilant doesn’t have to interfere with the joy of becoming new parents. Working together with hospital staff is the best way to protect your newborn from an abduction attempt. It’s an unfortunate element of our society and it’s sad that this is what we’ve come to. However, the number of infant abductions in hospitals is decreasing as more and more facilities implement security measures that discourage abductors. So keep a wary eye but never lose focus on the miracle you hold in your hands.

Thankfully, infant abductions are a rarity. But it does happen and 2012 has seen its fair share. Although all of the abducted infants were recovered, one of them tragically ended in the death of the mother.

Former nurse Verna McClain is charged in the murder of a mother in a Texas parking lot and the abduction of her newborn son. Photo by AP

A recent article published by the FBI states that analysis of abduction cases suggests that abductors are finding new and troubling ways to obtain babies. This may include using violence to commit their crimes. Social media is also playing a role as a method of location and abduction.

“For the most part, women are no longer going into hospitals and dressing in nurse’s uniforms and walking out with children,” said Ashli-Jade Douglas, an FBI intelligence analyst who works in the FBI’s Crimes Against Children Unit and specializes in child abduction matters. The increasing use of anti-abduction technology makes obtaining an infant from a hospital more and more difficult.

The women who commit these crimes are usually between the ages of 17 and 33,” said Douglas, who provides analytical support to the Child Abduction Rapid Deployment Team. “Usually they are unable to get pregnant. Often, they will fake a pregnancy in the hopes of keeping a boyfriend or husband.” In most cases, she added, the women intend no harm to the infants—and maybe not even the mother. “They just want a child to raise as their own and will do anything to get one.”

The article goes on to identify a woman who used social media to get close to the mother of a newborn, befriended that woman and ultimately abducted her two-week old infant after being invited to stay with the mother in her home.

“Parents should check their privacy settings on social networking sites,” Douglas said, and they should always use caution online. Privacy settings can sometimes be confusing and may change without notice. This can mean that photos, comments and locations may be visible through a simple online search.

The FBI has some recommendations on how new parents and their families can protect their children both online and in the home:

• As much as you want to tell the world about your new arrival, the Crimes Against Children unit recommends against displaying the traditional pink or blue balloons or yard signs welcoming the baby. These are literally flags alerting a potential abductor of an available infant.
• New or expectant mothers (and other family members) should always be aware of their surroundings and who they encounter. They should avoid giving strangers any personal information if someone attempts to start a conversation that involves the infant. Asking to many personal questions may be a warning sign.
• Make sure online privacy settings keep your social media profiles available only to people you want to see your photos, location or other information. Photos contain information that can tell an abductor where the photo was taken so they can locate you. It’s probably even a good idea to refrain from posting where you will be at any given time.
• Even if you think you may be overreacting you should report any suspicious activity, odd behavior of strangers or unusual attempts to contact you. “You may not think it’s important,” the FBI’s Douglas explains, “but that type of information allows us to track incidents and it could help prevent future abductions.”

It’s also a good idea to discuss infant protection procedures with any prospective hospital before you choose where you will deliver your baby.

It’s sad that the joy of new life must also be tempered with caution. The chances that your bundle of joy will be taken from you are remote, but being careful will help increase the safety of your baby as well as your family.

Accutech’s Cuddles infant protection system is the state of the art in infant protection. Hospital staff in partnership with our technology will keep babies safe while they’re in the hospital. Our soft, self-adjusting bracelets are unobtrusive and comfortable, but will warn staff and security of any unauthorized movement of the baby toward an exit door. The Cuddles system also integrates with other security and access control systems already in place. It’s affordable, easy to use and vital to keep babies safe.

In order to help you determine which system meets your facility’s needs and give you an accurate quote, we will need specific information regarding control and egress in your facility. Regardless of whether you need an infant protection, pediatric elopement, or wander management system, we want to determine:

• How many doors will need to be protected? Are they single or double doors?
• Do you want the doors to lock on approach of a patient/resident tag?
• Do you have any elevators that need to be incorporated as well? If so, do you want the system to stop the elevators on approach of a patient/resident tag?
• Do you want the door alarms integrated with your existing access control systems (keypads and/or proximity cards)?

Once it is clear how many entry/exit points exist on the perimeter, we need to determine how and where you would like your staff alerted to security breaches. Alarms can be audible or visual (strobe light), can broadcast locally at the site of the infraction or centrally at a nurse or security station, and can be delivered via a nurse call or paging system. It is also possible to deliver these alerts in any combination of the possibilities listed here.

In addition to these general guidelines, there are also some questions specific to the type of system you are interested in. For facilities seeking alerts for wander management, we will also need to know if you are interested in individual resident ID and reporting, and loitering and door ajar features. With our infant protection and pediatric elopement systems, we need a floor plan to determine how many antennas will be necessary to detect band removal anywhere in the protected area.

We also offer two-way radios and paging systems that integrate seamlessly with our ResidentGuard, Cuddles and Kidz security systems. Our compact, two-way radios gives health care facilities an effective, low cost communication tool for staff as well as a customizable alarm notification device. Our hospital paging software and pagers increase efficiency and create operation-wide coordination in hospitals, nursing homes and assisted-living facilities. As an industry leader in the wander management, infant protection, and pediatric elopement fields, we are committed to the ongoing development, implementation and integration of high quality, cost-effective, health care related security systems backed by the industry’s most comprehensive customer support program.

Accutech is a leading manufacturer of perimeter-based, RFID-enabled products to ensure the safety and security of patients in hospital and senior living settings. There are many reasons why hospitals and nursing facilities choose to install or upgrade their security systems using Accutech RFID-enabled products.

• we offer stand-alone or software-based systems
• our products use advanced RFID technology to minimize false alarms
• all of our systems can be easily integrated with nurse call, electronic access control (EAC), closed-circuit television (CCTV), fall detection and other existing security mechanisms within your facility.
• all of our systems are backed by the industry’s most comprehensive customer support program – including free 24-hour technical support.

Babies switched at birth – the story strikes fear into the heart of every parent. In December 2012 in Minneapolis, new mother Tammy Van Dyke’s day-old baby was accidentally placed in the incorrect bassinet on the morning they were to be sent home together. He was given to the wrong mother and breastfed before the nursing staff realized the mistake and were able to identify both babies correctly. The other mother had to wait twenty minutes until her baby was located and confirmed.

No lasting harm was done, but both mothers experienced the overwhelming fear of losing their newborn child and were very upset with the hospital. Van Dyke told ABC News in Minneapolis “She was just as distraught as me that this happened to her, and in the meantime, also didn’t know where her baby was. She has twins.”

The hospital released a statement from the Chief Clinical Officer (and Obstetrician) saying “I have personally seen verification of the infant’s identifying name band matched correctly with the mother’s on hundreds of occasions. It is extremely unfortunate that was not the case this time. We sincerely apologize to the involved families and will make certain we understand why our procedures were not appropriately followed in this case.”

This case illustrates a fundamental truth – that even well-trained, vigilant and committed staff in a world-class healthcare facility can make mistakes. Cuddles Infant Protection System from Accutech Security offers a mother-baby match feature that ensures a procedural oversight like this does not lead to mishap. Our RFID-enabled, non-allergenic Infant Tags let you know that every infant under your care is safe. Each tag is uniquely identifiable, giving you the ability to instantly match mother and baby – electronically. The mother-baby match is just one important feature offered with the Cuddles Infant Protection System to ensure the security of infants in your care while meeting the unique needs of nurses and the concerns of new parents.

“You put your baby in the nursery, not even 48-hours old, and you think they’re safe,” Van Dyke said. “I’m holding it together. I’m just in disbelief, and it was like I was in a dream, a bad dream, and I couldn’t get it to stop.” RFID-enabled security products from Accutech Security ensure the safety and security of patients in your facility – leading to satisfied customers and protection from liability.

For hospital birthing units, guarding against abduction is a high priority. Fortunately, providing high quality infant protection in a hospital environment is easy and affordable. The Cuddles Infant Protection system from Accutech is an (RFID) electronic security system designed specifically to maintain safety of infants in obstetric and pediatric departments. With a small, tamper-proof infant protection tag placed on the infant immediately after birth, our Cuddles Infant Protection system automatically warns hospital staff if there is an unauthorized movement of the baby toward an exit door, or if the tag is tampered with. Cuddles integrates easily with other security and access control systems your hospital may already have in place–protecting investments you have already made. Easy-to-use hardware and software work seamlessly, enabling nurses to spend less time managing a “system” and more time focusing on what matters most—caring for the babies in their care.

Learn more about preventing Infant and Pediatric Abduction in your facility:

Mother & Baby Match Feature

Safety Tips to Prevent Infant Abductions

Facility Security Suggestions

Learn About Cuddles from Accutech

Hospital maternity wards and birthing centers must address the potential threat of abduction with security measures that track and protect their newborn patients. To safeguard against this threat, facilities deploy security systems designed specifically to maintain safety of infants in obstetric and pediatric departments using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. With a transmitter chip attached to the infant and sensors placed near exit points, an alarm is triggered if an unauthorized person attempts to remove the baby from the designated area.

Due to electromagnetic interference and lack of design sophistication, many competing manufacturers’ RFID security systems are prone to false alarms. False alarms on maternity floors are disruptive and upsetting to new parents and can harm the serene setting being fostered by nursing staff. Maintaining a safe environment can be a challenge when continuing false alarms reduce the urgency of clearing every one. They may also lead to alarm fatigue, which reduces the urgency required to respond. Infant protection systems must be sophisticated enough to overcome these challenges and remain a trusted and effective security tool. False alarms are frequently caused by radio frequency interference caused by nearby electronics and increasingly, cell phones. The embedded ID code on the Accutech Security RFID chip in addition to the unusual frequency it is transmitted on combine to make Cuddles the most reliable infant protection system available with few to no false alarms. Any false alarms that do occur as a result of noise can be tuned out.

Cell phones are ubiquitous and can cause interference with RFID tags several ways. It is possible for the power (wattage) of a phone to cause noise and generate interfering radio frequency during transmission, or from the phone itself while in standby mode. Circuitry and metal inside a phone can cause shielding or detuning of the signal if a tag is placed next to it. These factors can also work in conjunction with each other to cause unanticipated interference. In addition to cell phones, devices such as microwave ovens, walkie-talkies, wi-fi and GPS use the radio frequency spectrum and are also sources of electromagnetic interference that can hinder the function of RFID security systems. The Cuddles Infant Protection system from Accutech Security operates at a unique frequency (418 MHz) on the edge of a range available only to the Department of Defense. This helps to make them the most interference free infant abduction protection systems on the market – meaning they have the lowest rate of false alarms that lead to alarm fatigue, unnecessary stress on staff, and have negative impacts on patient care.

The Cuddles Infant Protection system from Accutech Security transmits data using radio-frequency, for sensors to track and identify tags attached to soft bracelets worn by newborns in a birthing facility. The battery powered tags emit radio waves that contain electronically stored, unique ID which sensors can read up to a 25 meters away. Unlike a bar code, the identification code is embedded in the RFID tag and does not need to be within line of sight of the sensor to be read. Many electronic devices used in residential and commercial environments emit radio waves, and in the United States, the range of the electromagnetic spectrum they can operate within is regulated by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC). Accutech RFID-enabled security systems can also be stagger-tuned: each zone in the system can operate on a unique frequency. This helps to avoid crosstalk from zones that are located right next to or on top of each other.

Jason R. Guerrero, the Vice President & Manager of Technical Applications, states that Accutech “has tested and verified that the RF transmissions generated by smart phones, cell phones, IPADs and the like, do not interfere with or have an adverse effect related to the RF of the Accutech tags when placed in close proximity or next to each other.” He goes on to say that “Accutech tags will continue to transmit and lock a door and or create an alarm when presented at an exit monitored with the Accutech system. Additionally, if the tag is transmitting a Band Removal signal, it has also been tested and verified that no RF interference shall occur.”

Nurses who specialize in caring for new mothers and infants share in tremendous joy, wonder and gratitude as well as anxiety and grief as a regular part of their workday. They are engaged and committed to providing extraordinary patient care both in terms of clinical outcomes and human compassion. Neonatal nursing staff meet the rigors and responsibilities of patient care in a modern hospital setting while offering guidance, perspective and comfort to new families. It is a difficult job that requires empathy, vigilance and confidence and tends to attract dedicated caregivers. Any technology used to assist them in elevating patient care must minimize interference or distraction in this unique environment.

A nurse using the Cuddles infant protection system by Accutech

Hospital maternity wards and birthing centers must protect against infant abduction with security measures that identify and monitor their newborn patients. Cuddles, from Accutech Security, is an (RFID) electronic security system designed specifically to maintain the safety of infants in obstetric and pediatric departments. A small, tamper-proof infant protection tag is placed on the infant immediately after birth attached to our Soft Bracelet – a self-adjusting band, unique to Cuddles, made with an ultra-soft polyester blend that doesn’t cut or chafe the skin, and won’t fall off due to movement or changes in weight. If a situation develops with an unauthorized transfer of the baby toward an exit door, sensors will immediately warn hospital staff and automatically lock the door.

Infant protection is one of the critical systems facilities use for communication and security. Too often, these systems function independently lacking integration features, interface standards, and common alert protocols. Cuddles integrates easily with other security and access control systems your facility may already have in place–protecting investments you have already made and minimizing added training, stress, and distraction. With over 28 years of experience serving the healthcare industry, Accutech develops and builds advanced electronic monitoring and perimeter based security systems delivering a unified interface, customizable alert notification, and easy integration with existing CCTV, nurse call, etc.

Due to electromagnetic interference and lack of design sophistication, many leading manufacturers’ RFID security systems are prone to false alarms. False alarms on maternity floors are upsetting to new parents and disrupt the serene setting being fostered by attentive caregivers. Maintaining a safe environment can be a challenge when repeated false alarms cause fatigue and indifference, reducing the urgency of clearing every one. Infant protection systems must be sophisticated enough to overcome these challenges and remain a trusted and effective security tool. False alarms are frequently caused by radio frequency interference caused by nearby electronics and increasingly, cell phones. The embedded ID code on the Accutech Security RFID chip in addition to the unusual frequency it is transmitted on combine to make Cuddles the most reliable infant protection system available with few to no false alarms. Cuddles infant protection system aids the general safety and security of infants entrusted to your facility while minimizing unnecessary distractions. Easy-to-use hardware and software work seamlessly, enabling nurses to spend less time managing a “system” and more time focusing on what matters most—caring for the babies in their care.

There are many reasons why hospitals and birthing centers choose to install or upgrade their infant security systems using Accutech RFID-enabled products: lower total cost of ownership, advanced features, lower rate of false alarms, full compliance, the most comprehensive customer support program in the industry (including free 24-hour technical support and a full one-year warranty), and a dealer network that ensures local service, fast response times and competitive pricing. The Accutech advantage can help to ensure that your staff spends more time caring for patients and less time managing systems.

Even a casual observer can’t avoid noticing how many beeping machines are part of the modern hospital or residential nursing facility. In addition to monitoring patients’ vital signs, medication schedule and fall detection, facility-wide alarm systems protect against things like fire, theft, HVAC malfunction, egress, and infant abduction. A recent Joint Commission alert to hospitals calling attention to the problem of noise fatigue warned that “desensitized” hospital workers sometimes ignore these warnings and delay urgent treatment, endangering lives. They estimate that alarm fatigue is directly responsible for at least two dozen deaths a year on average, but also point out that this estimate is likely too low because ignoring or misinterpreting an alarm may set off a chain of events that leads to an injury or death.

The problem of alarm fatigue in these nursing environments is complicated by the lack of standardization in what the various noises mean, the threat level of the problem and what it relates to. “With the proliferation of technology, alarms, and a lack of standardization,” it’s more challenging for doctors and nurses to respond adequately, said Dr. Ana McKee, the commission’s executive vice president and chief medical officer.

At Accutech, we are keenly aware of the role our RFID security, access control and two-way communication products play in hospital and nursing care environments and take comprehensive measures to ensure that our products do not inadvertently add to this growing problem. Our RFID security systems employ technology and design that minimizes the risk of interference from electronic devices and has a proven record of alarm integrity – boasting the lowest rate of false alarms in the industry. To combat a lack of standardization, our software enhanced access control solutions deliver maximum capabilities coupled with easy-to-use functionality by streamlining security systems into a single platform with a customizable software interface that allows multiple alarm delivery and clearing methods. All of our systems are designed specifically to be integrated with nurse call, electronic access control (EAC), closed-circuit television (CCTV), fall detection and other existing security mechanisms within your facility.

The technology in modern hospitals and residential nursing facilities places tremendous demands on the staff entrusted with their patients’ care. All Accutech products are designed and built with this in mind and aim to assist in elevating patient care by minimizing unnecessary interference and distraction and offering features that allow our systems to be easily customized for each environment. There are many reasons why facilities choose to install and depend on Accutech products: lower total cost of ownership, advanced features, lower rate of false alarms, full compliance, the most comprehensive customer support program in the industry (including free 24-hour technical support and a full one-year warranty), and a dealer network that ensures local service. The Accutech advantage can help to ensure that your staff spends more time caring for patients and less time managing systems.

We recently conducted a survey of our Cuddles Infant Protection customers and got some very helpful feedback about our product and support. Thank you to everybody who took the time to answer our questions. We are proud that 90% of the respondents said that they would recommend Cuddles to peers. Over 65% said that our sales support is “above average” or “excellent” and over 61% said the same about our technical support and service. These numbers reflect our commitment to developing easy-to-use, reliable and affordable RFID-enabled security systems, selling them through a nationwide network of independent dealers, and standing behind them with the industry’s most comprehensive customer support program – including free 24-hour technical support and a one year warranty on all parts and service.

90% of respondents would recommend the Cuddles infant protection product to their peers.

All infant protection systems are not created equal and there are many considerations to be made by facilities’ choosing to install or expand an infant protection system.

Hospital obstetric units and birthing centers pose many unique challenges that must be addressed for a security solution to be both effective and unobtrusive. These facilities are high traffic areas with a high nurse to patient ratio and many different visitors. New mothers are walking or wheeling around as part of their postpartum recovery and their families are excited to see the newest addition and take photos with a digital camera or cell phone.

Electromagnetic interference from these devices and others mean that RFID receivers must be designed to minimize interference from other devices around them and reduce false alarms. Cuddles Infant Protection system uses technology that minimizes interference from other devices and reduces false alarms. Accutech products operate at a unique frequency (418 MHz) just below the maximum requirement mandated by the Department of Defense, making them the most interference free on the market and reducing hassle and disturbance caused by false alarms. Our Soft Bracelet – a self-adjusting band, unique to Cuddles, is made with an ultra-soft polyester blend that doesn’t cut or chafe the skin, and won’t fall off due to movement or changes in weight.

There are several distinct advantages for hospitals and birthing centers who choose to install or upgrade their infant protections systems using Cuddles from Accutech Security: lower total cost of ownership, advanced features, lower rate of false alarms, full compliance, the most comprehensive customer support program in the industry, and a dealer network that ensures local service. In our survey, the most commonly cited reasons for choosing Cuddles by nurses and security personnel who were responsible for their facility’s choice in infant protection were cost and performance. It is our hope that the advantage provided by using Accutech products ensures that your staff spends more time caring for patients and less time managing systems.

We’ve just returned from the 2012 AWHONN Annual Convention in National Harbor, MD and it was a tremendous success. Many of you stopped by to say hello or introduce yourselves and learn more about the products and systems offered by Accutech.

Some of you were gracious enough to fill out an informal product survey to help us learn more about you and the infant protection systems you use. We’re pleased to relay the results and even more pleased to learn that those of you who use Accutech’s Cuddles infant protection system are very satisfied with it and we appreciate all the positive comments.

Of 230 attendees surveyed there were some primary concerns with the infant protection systems they are currently using. And while some were satisfied with the systems in place they elaborated about the drawbacks of each.

Some survey comments addressed the wristband. Many were bothered by the number of times the band slipped off due to post-partum weight loss. Excess tightening to prevent “too loose alarms” brought more complaints from new mothers and other caregivers. The hard plastic of some bands compounded the difficulty and caused more concern.

Other survey participants mentioned the number of false alarms and the alarm fatigue that comes with it. Some false alarms occur when radio frequency interference is caused by nearby machinery or other outside signals.  They can also happen when bands slip off because of post-partum weight loss. Maintaining a safe environment can be a challenge when continuing false alarms reduce the urgency of clearing every one.

One of the last concerns cited in the survey was the need for sterilization and cleaning of umbilical security tags. These tags  can sometimes be classified under the same umbrella as surgical instruments and are required to be sent off-site for sterilization. The tags also interfere with umbilical IV administration and can’t be used in tandem with it.

The Accutech Cuddles infant protection system avoids and addresses these issues. The self-adjusting soft band compensates for post-partum weight loss and avoids the false alarms that come with slippage. The soft, cushioned band is also comfortable and won’t irritate newborn skin. Cuddles also has a very low interference rate as it operates at a unique frequency that’s just below the maximum mandated by the Department of Defense.  This makes the system less prone to outside influences that cause false alarms.

The Accutech Cuddles system also features pagers and two-way radio systems that integrate seamlessly with the wristband technology.  Our operating software has a short training time and can activate tags, admit and discharges patients, and generate reports quickly and easily.

The Accutech infant protection system is a holistic approach to securing infants when they are at their most vulnerable and avoids the common problems associated with other systems. To learn more please contact us at (800) 356-267.  And thanks again to all of our new friends from AWHONN.

A woman who admitted to abducting an infant from a Manhattan hospital in 1987 was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Ann Pettway pleaded guilty in February, and was faced by the mother of the girl, now 26 years old, during sentencing.

Infant protection is critical to prevent tragedy.

“I had only spent 19 days with my daughter,” Joy White told Pettway, who admitted stealing White’s daughter when she was just 19 days old.

“I bathed her. I changed her. I put lotion on her. I put bows in her hair. She got a 104-degree fever, and we brought her to the hospital, and the doctors said she would have to be treated for a week. How could anybody rip intravenous tubes out of a sick baby and take her?”

The baby girl, named Carlina Renae White, was taken to Harlem Hospital in New York City on August 4, 1987 to be treated. Early the next day hospital staff discovered Carlin was missing.

And for 23 years the child grew to a young woman never knowing she was living with the wrong family. When Carlina, now known as Nejdra, was pregnant with her own child she had difficulties obtaining a birth certificate and became suspicious. Ultimately she contacted the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and DNA tests confirmed that she was not Pettway’s child. Pettway turned herself into the FBI shortly after she was reunited with her birth mother. Carlina chose to stay in Georgia an avoid the difficult scene.

Both families listened as Pettway’s defense lawyer explained her difficult life as one of ten children by five fathers, physical and sexual abuse, pregnancy at 15 with an ongoing series of stillbirths and miscarriages, including one a few months before the abduction.

Carlina’s relationship with her birth parents is ongoing and difficult but all of them are optimistic. There is no possible way they will have the relationship they were meant to have but, with time, they may find the love they lost long ago.

Unfortunately it’s too late to stop this tragedy but infant abductions are more and more difficult thanks to preventative measures taken by healthcare facilities. Staff education is critical; Pettway fit many of the traits of a classic infant abductor and knowing the signs can prevent a potential incident. Technology is also a key defender in infant protection and the Accutech Cuddles system is leading the way with comfortable, self-adjusting wristbands and support tools that keep maternity floors secure and new patients safe.

How often does your facility conduct an audit of your infant security system? Including roundtable discussions about equipment and procedures, many facilities with maternity wards test their systems and staff up to four times per year. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children recommends that facilities conduct drills annually. When considering protection against infant abductions, competency validation in modern birthing centers goes beyond electronic systems and makes sure that your entire staff understands what to do if there is an incident and how to respond to the security measures you have in place. Surprise drills and simulated infant abductions demonstrate the ability of your staff and security procedures to prevent an abductor from exiting your facility. Making sure that everyone is properly trained and understands how your infant protection system works is critical. According to the Joint Commission, improper use of infant security systems is a key factor in facilities failing an audit.

A nurse at Montrose Hospital uses the Cuddles infant security system

There are many reasons why hospitals and birthing centers choose to install or upgrade their security systems using Accutech RFID-enabled products: lower total cost of ownership, advanced features, lower rate of false alarms, full compliance, and the most comprehensive customer support program in the industry. A key part of our comprehensive customer support is training. In addition to easy integration with existing systems, Accutech and our network of local dealers are committed to making sure that your staff receives the necessary training and support to ensure that there are no weak links in your security plan.

While all birthing centers are required to have electronic security systems in place to protect the infants in their care, audits to assess the readiness of your facility’s equipment, procedures and staff are an essential part of ensuring this safety over time. With over twenty-five years of experience developing, manufacturing, and installing RFID healthcare related security systems, Accutech Security also offers expertise to hospitals and birthing centers in the form of security consulting/audit services to assess current safety protocols including electronic access control (EAC), closed-circuit television (CCTV), on-site security personnel and established procedures.

About a year after they installed a Cuddles infant protection system (an RFID electronic security system designed specifically to maintain safety of babies in obstetric and pediatric departments), the Family Center at Montrose Memorial Hospital in Colorado conducted an audit of the system. Other than the director and one security officer, no one else on the hospital staff was aware of the event – ensuring an accurate environment for the test. In place of an actual infant an adult female volunteer was fitted with a security band around her wrist, given a large bag and instructed to leave the maternity floor.

As she approached an exit, the Cuddles infant protection system was activated, triggering an alarm and automatically locking the door. Because the Cuddles system identified the exact door where she tried to exit and alerted the staff, there was no confusion or lost time. Security and nursing staff immediately confronted the volunteer who was carrying a large bag that could easily conceal an infant. A hospital-wide “Code Pink” was issued as the volunteer continued into the main hospital area. She was stopped swiftly and repeatedly by both hospital staff and security officers and never made it to the outside entrance. The audit was an immediate success, leading Coral Ann Hackett, the Director of the Family Center, to say “It was perfect. It did exactly what it was supposed to do.”

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s booklet For Healthcare Professionals provides practical guidelines for maximizing the effectiveness of your drills, including:

• At least once a year, conduct an infant abduction drill that includes the entire facility—not just obstetrics.

• Before the drill, ensure that those who will observe and access the drill attend a training class that reviews physical security features in place, reviews the critical-incident response plan, and explains the planned scenario of abduction.

• Choose drill observers from all job levels.

• Use standardized drill reports.

• Inform law enforcement personnel that it is a drill only.

• Start a drill with an alarm sounding or with the exchange of a note within the birthing center explaining that a baby has been abducted.

• Observers should provide “real-time” instruction during the drill, if needed.

• At the end of the drill, forward the evaluation form to the Security Director and/or other designees.

• As part of the evaluation, review step by step to identify areas needing improvement.

• Prepare a final drill report that explains what worked and what didn’t work and delineates a plan of action for making improvements. Send that report to Administration and the obstetric unit within two weeks of drill completion.

Hospitals and birthing centers protect their newborn patients from the threat of abduction through the use of a perimeter based, RFID-enabled security system. It is important for the staff tasked with researching and implementing these solutions understand how they work, the customization options that are available to meet specific needs, and what considerations go into calculating the total cost of ownership for the life of the system. Providing high quality infant protection in a hospital environment is easier and more affordable than ever with Cuddles Infant Protection system from Accutech.

An RFID-enabled infant protection system has different hardware components that combine to create an alert when an infant wearing a bracelet enters into a protected area, goes beyond an unauthorized exit, or the bracelet itself is removed. The soft bracelet has an RFID tag attached to it. The tag transmits a signal at a specific radio frequency that can be identified by a controller (receiver) placed near a point of egress. Hardware costs generally consist of enough controllers to cover all of the points of egress in a facility, bracelets, and tags to be attached to the bracelets. While a newborn baby only needs to wear one tag on a bracelet around his/her arm or leg, extras and replacements are needed since they require battery power to operate and need to be replaced.

Understanding the total cost of ownership also means calculating installation costs, maintenance costs (support), software upgrades and training. Accutech’s Cuddles infant protection systems maintain the safety of infants in obstetric and pediatric departments at a lower total cost of ownership to you, and have a wide range of features providing options to fit any need and budget. Our initial hardware costs consistently beat the price of competing systems, and Cuddles integrates easily with other security and access control systems your facility may already have in place–protecting investments you have already made. With free 24-hour technical support, free software upgrades and a local dealer network, we make it easy to add this critical protection to your facility. Accutech is the most trusted name in RFID security. We have been a leading manufacturer of advanced electronic monitoring and security systems since 1985 and our specialized, RFID-enabled solutions have been installed in more than 5,000 locations worldwide. In a recent customer survey, 100% of respondents said they would recommend Accutech products to a peer. Almost 60% said that Accutech’s sales support was above average or excellent, and over 90% said the same about our technical support..

Replacement RFID tags are a continuing cost of owning an infant protection system. Accutech’s unique infant tags can be turned off when not in use – saving battery life (there is no expiration date). A simple LED light assures your staff that the tag is on; And our tags simply last longer than competing systems. We guarantee them for a year, but most last at least 18 months. With a Cuddles infant protection system, you will experience significant savings on replacement tags over the life of the system.

Installation costs, training time, the ability to upgrade, replacement components, operation costs, and responsive customer support all contribute to the total cost of ownership of an infant protection system in well run hospitals and birthing centers. Cuddles is able to meet the budget and demands of facilities large and small while integrating easily with the existing systems your staff uses every day: electronic access control (EAC), closed-circuit television (CCTV), paging, etc. With 24 hour technical support,  well-built reliable hardware, the availability of local installation and service technicians and long-life tags that turn off when not in use, Cuddles from Accutech Security delivers infant protection solutions at a lower total cost of ownership than any competing product. All Accutech systems are assembled in the United States, installed and serviced by a vast network of local authorized dealers – Quality and service you can depend on. Learn more about Cuddle infant protection.

The Accutech advantage:

• More than 25 years in RFID security–we helped to build the security industry, and we continue to lead it today.

• To date, our patented patient security solutions have been installed in more than 5,000 locations worldwide.

• All of our systems come with 24-hour technical support, and our extensive certified dealer network means local service anytime you need it.

• Accutech products work seamlessly with your existing systems–saving you and your staff time and resources.

Modern hospitals and nursing facilities use an array of computer and software driven technology to provide top-notch care. Storing and accessing medical records, monitoring, communication as well as security are all dependent on the speed and reliability offered by computers. But what happens when these machines fail? As the story of Banner Health’s computer problems at the end of February shows, sometimes critical healthcare systems must overcome hardware and software failures with no advance warning.

The IS 3200 software-enhanced wander management system from Accutech Security delivers advanced reporting, notification and resident identification features through an interface run on top of Microsoft Windows. During a computer failure (hardware or software), the essential resident monitoring and egress alert functionality remains. Even with the computer system turned off, if an RFID tag (worn by a resident) enters a protected area, an alert is sent via multiple channels. This system can be integrated with nurse call, electronic access control (EAC), closed-circuit television (CCTV), fall detection and other existing security mechanisms within the facility. The same thing is true with our Cuddles Infant Protection System - the essential egress and alert features guarding infants from abduction in hospitals and birthing centers continue to operate even without the software functionality.

All Accutech systems are manufactured in the United States, installed and serviced by a vast network of authorized dealers, and backed by the industry’s most comprehensive customer support program. Both the ResidentGuard wander management systems and the Cuddles Infant Protection systems come with a comprehensive support program giving you peace of mind when you need it most.

• Free 24-hour technical support

• one-year, non-prorated warranty on all parts and services

• Free software updates

A 2008 report by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police warned that although they are rare, hospitals and maternity wards must remain on “high alert” against the threat of infant abductions. A similar report in the United States by the Federal Bureau of Investigation found that 68.1% of infant abductions occur in hospital, whether in the nursery or the mother’s room.

An infant wearing a Cuddles infant protection tag

On Monday May 26th, a one day old, six pound baby girl was abducted from a maternity ward in Trois-Rivières – a city in Canada located approximately halfway between Montreal and Quebec City. As is typical in infant abduction attempts from a hospital, the abductor wore nurse’s scrubs, walked into the maternity ward and left 12 minutes later with the baby. Investigators say the female abductor was dressed as a nurse when she entered the Ville Marie hospital at 6:56 p.m. She took the baby girl out of the mother’s room “under false pretences”, bundled her up and exited the hospital at 7:08pm where she fled in a red Toyota. Police issued an amber alert and baby Victoria was found shortly after 10 p.m., unharmed, at the suspect’s home in Trois-Rivières.

Following a series of similar abductions in the 1990s and 2000s, most Canadian hospitals instituted security measures and training workshops to prevent the unauthorized removal of babies from maternity wards. In light of the security breach in Trois-Rivières, Quebec Health Minister Gaétan Barrette has ordered all hospitals with maternity wards to review their protocols regarding infant protection. He also announced that the government would consider requiring that all newborns wear electronic bracelets that sound an alarm if the baby is moved out of a permitted zone – as is currently the practice in hospitals in Ontario.

An RFID-enabled infant protection system like Cuddles from Accutech has different hardware components that combine to create an alert when an infant wearing a bracelet enters into a protected area or beyond an unauthorized exit. Our unique soft bracelet has an RFID tag attached to it. The tag transmits a signal at a specific radio frequency that can be identified by a controller (receiver) placed near a point of egress. If an alarm is tripped, alerts can be sounded at the point of egress as well as communicated through existing pagers, two-way radios and centralized command panels.

When buying an infant security solution there are many concerns that come into play.  While first and foremost you need to find the solution that provides a safe environment and meets your organization’s needs, secondarily your upfront cost and lifetime cost of a system must be considered.  Upfront cost is easy to capture and quantify but one area of lifetime cost that can be more elusive is the risk of forced obsolescence, i.e. the discontinuation of manufacturing and support of a solution you recently purchased.  Your infant security solution should last you for at least 7-10 years and if provider discontinues your chosen solution within that window you are now in a position where your costs can double.

Accutech Security understands the need for clear, predictable capital expenditure planning and unparalleled support. Accutech is the most trusted name in RFID security. We have been a leading manufacturer of advanced electronic monitoring and security systems since 1985 and our specialized, RFID-enabled systems have been installed in more than 5,000 locations worldwide. We are innovating our product lines and expanding into new markets and industries while we continue to proudly continue to support every system ever sold. As an example of this commitment, 2014 will see the release of a new, upgraded software package that will be available at no additional cost to our existing customers. All Accutech systems are assembled in the United States, installed and serviced by a vast network of authorized dealers – Quality and service you can depend on.

Accutech’s Cuddles infant protection solution provides a secure environment for your patients at a lower total cost of ownership, and has a wide range of features that offer options to fit any budget. With free 24-hour technical support and automated staff notification, you can stop worrying about the security of your patients and focus your attention on providing exceptional care.

The Accutech advantage:

• More than 25 years in RFID security–we helped to build the security industry, and we continue to lead it today.
• To date, our patented patient security solutions have been installed in more than 5,000 locations worldwide.
• All of our systems come with 24-hour technical support, and our extensive certified dealer network means local service anytime you need it.
• Accutech products work seamlessly with your existing systems–saving you and your staff time and resources.