vCreate Diaries News

Carle implements video diaries service to support family engagement in the NICU

     

Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) provide critical care to over 300,000 babies annually across the United States due to a range of birth and health complications. With nearly 15% of all babies born in the US requiring specialist care, thousands of families spend time in the NICU.

As a level 3 perinatal NICU, Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana receives referrals from across Illinois, with many families needing to travel around 90 miles to see their babies in the hospital. While many NICUs have explored live streaming services to alleviate separation anxiety, internet connection, expensive hardware, parental distress (due to lack of context), and clinician capacity are just a few of the challenges associated with the technology.

In August 2023, Carle became the first unit in the United States to implement vCreate NICU Diaries. The secure asynchronous diaries service allows NICU staff to securely record and upload short video-clips and photos of the babies on approved devices, which are then shared directly with parents.

Kara Weigler, Nurse Manager at Carle said: “Before vCreate, we relied on a live streaming service, but when our funding had dried up, and the cameras were no longer covered by their warranty, the prospect of replacing them seemed extremely expensive. We also had concerns about consistently having the cameras on and forgetting to switch the cameras off when needed, so we looked for more seamless alternatives. Discovering and collaborating with vCreate was fantastic. They guided us through the security features and the process of implementing the service in the United States.”

NICU staff can add messages and graphic effects to accompany the videos and photos. These messages, which can be auto-translated into multiple languages, often include a summary of the baby’s activity and wellbeing, which helps families feel a part of their baby’s journey even when they’re apart.

Regarding Carle’s experience, Kara Weigler said: “We love to capture important moments and milestones, such as their first baths, bottle feeds, tuck-in times and after they’re extubated, and you’re able to see their sweet little faces.”

Read the full case study here or email us to request a demo.

Video to Show What to Expect from your Child’s Follow-up Appointment

     

The neonatal journey doesn't always end at discharge from the neonatal unit. Many families may need to attend follow-up appointments to check their baby’s ongoing growth and development. Parents often feel anxious about attending these appointments and can be unsure about what to expect. Understanding the nature of these appointments and knowing how to prepare beforehand can greatly assist families as they navigate this new phase of their child’s neonatal journey.

read more »

Charitable funding for vCreate in the NICU

     

vCreate NICU Diaries is often funded by amazing charities that support neonatal units. Thanks to the funding from these organisations, our secure video diaries service is used to support family engagement in the NICU and enhance the family experience with videos, photos and messages to keep forever.

read more »

The power of parent voice on the NICU

     

Parents’ voice in the neonatal unit is incredibly powerful. “At a time when they feel helpless and scared, and their parental role is disrupted, there are things they can do that have significant impacts on their child’s health and development,” – Melissa Scala, Neonatologist from Stanford Children’s Hospital

read more »

Overcoming Language Barriers in the NICU

     

The neonatal journey can be a daunting experience for parents, especially when language barriers add another layer of complexity. In such situations, effective communication between clinicians and parents becomes crucial for the well-being of both the baby and the family.

read more »

#ThePowerOfVideo updates in the NICU

     

vCreate NICU Diaries is a secure video service that supports family engagement in the NICU. vCreate enhances the family experience with positive videos, photos and messages to keep forever.

read more »

Parent feedback on the benefits of vCreate

     

Parents who find themselves in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with their little ones can often find the experience overwhelming. Both Moms and Dads may encounter situations where they are unfamiliar with the procedures, equipment, or medical terminology used in the NICU.

read more »

Collaborative Care: The Impact of vCreate’s Neonatal Therapy and Follow-up Feature

     

The neonatal journey doesn't always end at discharge from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). For many families, it is a continuous process, filled with milestones, challenges, and ongoing monitoring from clinicians, parents, and caregivers.
read more »

Top 25 NICU themed books with author, Sarah Ward, from Reading Through the NICU

     

“The more you read, the more you know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go.” - Dr. Seuss This World Book Day, we are thrilled to collaborate with author, Sarah Ward from Reading Through the NICU, on a list of the top 25 NICU-themed books.

read more »

Asynchronous video transforms neonatal follow-up care for NHS Scotland

     

Across Scotland, over 6,000 babies are treated in neonatal units (NNUs) every year with many requiring continued, remote care due to ongoing medical issues or to screen for early signs of adverse developmental outcomes.

read more »

Secure video service helps UK baby hospice, Zoë’s Place, keep families connected

     

In the UK, it’s estimated that there are more than 49,000 children living with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition. Often, many of these children and their families turn to children's hospices like Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice for support.

read more »

Paediatric units implement secure video service to keep parents connected with their children

     

In the UK and Republic of Ireland, the paediatric health services support millions of children and their families, with more than 800,000 children under 15 years-old admitted to hospital annually and 20,000 children admitted to Paediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) each year.

read more »

St. Boniface Hospital’s NICU implements video diaries service to keep families connected with their babies

     

More than 120,000 babies are treated in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) across Canada every year. With nearly 1 in 12 babies born prematurely, thousands of families spend time in the NICU.

read more »

Video diaries service keeps families connected with their babies in NHS neonatal units

     

There are over 100,000 babies treated in NHS neonatal units (NNUs) each year in the UK, with 1 in 13 babies born prematurely. This can be a hugely stressful time, particularly for parents and caregivers when they are away from the unit.

read more »

New Video to Shed Light on the Neonatal Experience

     

With more than 90,000 premature and poorly babies receiving care in UK neonatal units each year, many families experience a difficult and unexpected journey which they may not have the words to explain.

read more »

Get crafty with your little ones this Autumn!

     

We are starting to feel very autumnal at vCreate! As the leaves turn red and the temperature drops, we’ve been thinking of all the ways families can enjoy this special time of year.

read more »

Support for neonatal families

     

Being on the neonatal unit with your baby can be an overwhelming experience and a rollercoaster of emotions from joy and happiness to worry and exhaustion. If you’re a parent who is currently experiencing the neonatal unit or have in the past, know that there are lots of organisations you can reach out to.

read more »

Get involved this NICU Awareness Month!

     

September is Neonatal Intensive Care Awareness Month, a time when people come together to show their support for families with babies in the neonatal unit.

read more »

The Neonatal Journey Through a Dad's Eyes

     

This International Father’s Mental Health Day, we spoke to Michael, Dad to miracle twin boys, James and Michael, who shared his experiences as a NICU father and the lasting impact it’s had on his mental health.

read more »

This February, send your #LoveLetterToAUnit!

     

With February (the month of love) around the corner, we want to give families a chance to share their love and appreciation for clinical teams who have cared for their little ones. We’ll be sharing some of your messages on our social channels throughout the month and turning them all into love letters that we’ll mail to hospitals so teams receive a special delivery filled with your kind words!

read more »