Published: July 24, 2008 11:33 pm         

2 local hospitals' security systems help prevent baby abductions

It’s new parents’ worst nightmare: Their child is abducted from the hospital shortly after being born.

While that scenario hasn’t played out in Enid, it has elsewhere in the country. Now, both Enid hospitals have plans in place to keep it from ever happening here.

St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center recently installed a new security system in the Birthplace. The system, known as Hugs and Kisses, is to prevent a baby abduction.

The hugs part of the system is a small monitor attached to the baby’s ankle. The kisses part is a monitor attached to the mother’s wrist. The monitors make a chime when the proper mother and baby are together. The hospital’s security system also includes video surveillance monitoring the Birthplace.

If a baby is taken close to any exit of the Birthplace, alarms will sound and the entire place will lock down. Doors lock and elevator doors will not close if the elevator is stopped on the Birthplace floor.

Carolyn Owens, assistant chief nursing officer and director of women’s services at Integris Bass Baptist Hospital, said she did not want to disclose much about Bass’ security system due to security reasons.

“We don’t want to go into great detail due to safety of the infants here,” she said.

At St. Mary’s, Malinda Isbell, director of Birthplace, said the video system can help with an immediate response if an alarm goes off.

“We can check who went in and out and we can print out pictures immediately. You can zoom in close on the one shot if there is an alarm,” she said.

Isbell said the Hugs and Kisses system makes the security better.

“We have always had great security, but now we have excellent security,” she said.

Cyndy Shepherd, director of corporate communications for St. Mary’s, said there never has been a problem with someone trying to remove a baby at St. Mary’s and this is a precaution.

“You wouldn’t think a child in Enid would be subject to a person who would take them, but it could happen anywhere,” Shepherd said.

The staff has trained on the system and continually practices to remain alert, Isbell said.

“We continually do drills that are not just in the Birthplace but hospitalwide,” she said.

Isbell said all the employees in the hospital have a place they have to go to during an abduction alarm.

The hugs tag is attached to a baby immediately after it is born and not removed until it is leaving the hospital.

“We put the tags on as soon as the baby is born,” Isbell said. “At the time of discharge, as we are pushing them down the hall, we cut them off and disarm them.”

Amy and Chad Teske just welcomed a new baby, Hailey, into the world at St. Mary’s.

They are both pleased with the security Hugs and Kisses adds to the Birth-place. Hailey is their second child. Their first child was not born in Oklahoma and didn’t have this type of security system.

“This is the first time we have experienced it. It is great for peace of mind. Our whole experience here has been incredible,” said Amy Teske.

Security isn’t the only benefit of the tag. It also can monitor how a mother is caring for her child.

“We can monitor with the system how long it has been since the baby and mother have been in close proximity,” Isbell said.

The new system also has been useful for other purposes.

“One thing I feel is an asset even without an abduction, we can see anything going on in the halls and notify security if needed,” Isbell said.

Although Owens at Bass did not want to disclose much about the security system there, she said hospital officials believe they have a good one.

“I want to assure the public we do have a very sophisticated infant security system,” said Owens.

Owens also said a security system alone cannot protect babies.

“The infant security system alone cannot protect you. We have monthly infant security drills. We have other different security measures in place, too,” she said.