OBTV Premieres at Baptist Medical Center Nassau
Technology Allows Constant Monitoring of Mom, Fetus During Labor

Jacksonville, Florida, October 19, 2006 -- It has been unusually quiet in Baptist Medical Center Nassau's maternity suite for the last six months or so. That's not because fewer babies have been delivered. In fact, there have been more births than expected, including six sets of twins since May - three in the last month alone.

The quiet is the result of a new technology installed in February to keep expectant moms and babies safer during labor and delivery. Called OBTV, it uses ultrasound sensors on the expectant mom's abdomen and special computers to record maternal and fetal heartbeats and contractions during the labor process. As labor proceeds, doctors and nurses can view this important data on computer screens anywhere in and outside the hospital.

"It gives us instantaneous feedback that we can act on immediately," says obstetrician William McGrath, MD. "I'm quite pleased that our 54-bed hospital has this high level of technology. It shows the hospital's commitment to safety and quality patient care."

"We used to record this data on long strips of paper, like EKGs, and we had to be able to hear all of the patients' monitors anywhere in the maternity suite to be sure they were working continually. Doors to patient rooms had to be kept open so we could hear the equipment," says Angela Fontaine, RN, ANM, assistant nurse manager, Labor and Delivery. "Now, we can view the status of all of our patients at once, anywhere a computer is available. Doors can be closed, which reduces the noise and gives patients more privacy."

Combined with other new technologies at the hospital, OBTV has a number of advantages. The computer sounds an alarm at the nurses' station if there's an irregularity with the reading and a nurse responds. It also makes consultations easier. Everyone who may be involved in the birth -- obstetrician, nurse, pediatrician, anesthesiologist, etc. -- can view and update the record simultaneously in different locations and offer input. This wasn't possible when the only official record was a cumbersome notebook kept at the nurses' station.

"If the nurses are concerned about something, they can call me at the office or home, anywhere I can get computer access, and ask me to view the data on the computer. If the heartbeat shows a baby may be in distress, I may have to consider an emergency C-section," says obstetrician Jesse Greenblum, MD. "It makes caring for patients much safer and more efficient."

While OBTV allows patients more privacy, it also increases caregiver time at the bedside. Doctors and nurses can bring WOWs (wireless computers on wheels) right to their patients to enter and access information on the patient's electronic medical record. All of the information is backed up regularly on super computers. When a patient becomes pregnant again or returns to the hospital for another reason, her record is easily accessible and just needs to be updated, saving time and reducing duplication. Also, babies have their own electronic records which are linked with their mom's to give staff and physicians a full picture of their medical histories.

"It appears to make the nurses' job easier," said Stormy Kubatzke, RN, a Baptist Nassau operating room nurse who gave birth to twins, Reece and Cael, on September 18. "To be honest, I wasn't paying much attention to the system, but just before I was set to bring the babies home, I asked my nurse if they might be hungry. She checked the nursery's notes on her computer and in seconds told me when the babies had been fed last. She didn't even have to leave my room or call anyone to find out."

Fontaine says, "OBTV makes communication and the charting process more streamlined. It is extremely beneficial to our patients and staff. We're fortunate to be part of Baptist Health where OBTV is an important tool in each of its hospital maternity departments."