Hugs Infant Protection System Give Parents Peace of Mind

There are plenty of hugs and kisses to go around these days at Salina Regional Health Center's Birth Center.

Besides the traditional kind of hugs and kisses that surround a baby's birth, the hospital has the Hugs Infant Protection System.

Although it happens rarely, everyone has heard the national news stories about infants being abducted from hospital nurseries or newborns inadvertently being switched and sent home with the wrong families. Such stories strike fear into the hearts of all parents.

Salina Regional has long been committed to protecting infants, children and their families and the Hugs System provides added peace of mind.

Here's how it works: Shortly after birth, newborns are outfitted with tiny electronic  ankle bracelets.  If anyone tries to take an infant out of the "safe area" (Women and Children's Services Unit), the doors automatically lock.

The system has been well received by families and staff alike.

Steps for preventing infant abduction

Infant abduction is NOT a crime that happens very often, but something we need to be prepared for.

The ABDUCTOR (person who takes the baby):

1. The abductor is almost always female.
2. She is usually overweight.
3. She is most likely between the ages of 12-50 (childbearing age).
4. She will most likely appear to be normal.
5. The race/skin color of the abductor (or the abductor's significant other) almost always matches the baby's.
6. The abductor may pose as a nurse or other health care worker to be able to get to the baby.  She may ask to take the baby for tests, or to weigh or take pictures of the baby.
7. The abductor may visit the hospital several times before trying to take the baby.  During these visits, she may try to build up a friendly relationship with the mother of the baby she intends to take.

STEPS TO PROTECT THE BABY:

The Birth Center and Salina Regional Health Center have taken several steps to ensure the safety and security of you and your baby.  Besides the things already in place, you can follow these guidelines to provide the best security for your baby.

1. Check for proper identification before giving your baby to anyone.  The Birth Center staff are the only people allowed to take your baby from your room.
2. Always keep your baby in your direct line of sight - even when you go to the bathroom or take a nap.  Place your baby's crib on the side of your bed away from the door.  Don't ever leave your baby alone in your room or in the hall.  If you need to leave your room, please return your baby to the nursery.
3. If you are uneasy with someone who appears to be a nurse asking to take your baby from your room, push the nurse call button and ask for your nurse to come to your room.  You may ask to be with your baby during some procedures.
4. Babies will be released from the nursery only to those people (mother/father/significant other) who have ID bands that match the baby's ID bands.
5. Always take your baby up and down the hall in his crib.  Never carry your baby in the halls.
6. Think about the risk that you may be taking when permitting your infant's birth announcement to be published in the newspaper or online.  Birth announcements should never include the family's home address and should be limited to the parents' first name(s).
7. If there is going to be a home visit after discharge by hospital staff, public health, or Heartland staff, request information on who will be making the home visit.  Do not allow anyone into your home that says that he or she is from that facility without proper identification.
8. The use of outdoor decorations to make known the infant's arrival such as balloons, large floral wreaths, wooden storks, and other lawn signs are not suggested.
9. Only allow persons that you know well into your home.  It is not a good idea to allow anyone into your home that is just a casual friend, or that you have met briefly since you became pregnant or gave birth to your baby.
10. There have been cases in which the abductor's first contact with a mother and baby was made at the hospital or in other places such as shopping malls and then later kidnapped at the family home.
11. If anyone should arrive at the home claiming to be from the hospital where the infant was born, follow the measures in number 7 above.  Family members should be careful about letting visitors in when home with the baby.

Prevention is the best defense against infant abductions.