First neonatal telemedicine program launched in Texas

A neonatal telemedicine program unveiled at the Children’s Medical Center Dallas will provide physicians at other hospital neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) with 24-hour access to board-certified UT Southwestern neonatologists on the Children’s medical staff.

The center’s specialized equipment and secure broadband transmission will facilitate communication between hospitals and enable neonatologists at Children’s to virtually examine newborns at distant-site NICUs. Participating hospitals will connect to Children’s through a mobile equipment cart that includes videoconferencing, data transfer and digital scoping equipment, according to a release.

The new program will fill care gaps in Texas and nationally by providing access to staff equipped for more complex neonatal care. According to Children’s, the program can help facilitate decision-making on transfers and may reduce costs by eliminating unnecessary transfers so newborns can remain in their home hospitals longer.

Children’s said in the announcement that the new program will be fully operational this month and open to interested NICUs.