Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) became the first hospital in the United States to install the AngelEye IRIS cameras and online platform in its Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU), giving parents and caregivers 24/7 livestream access to their child, medical education and one-way patient updates.
The technology, utilized in over 100 neonatal intensive care units nationwide, including the ACH neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), is an innovative step for the Arkansas Children’s Heart Institute’s CVICU to ensure family bonding and stronger communication with medical experts, impacting a child’s recovery.
The cameras launched Feb. 7, 2024, the first day of Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) Awareness Week, a recognition within American Heart Month.
"Due to our large fetal population, we received donor funds to specifically implement this technology already being used in our NICU in our CVICU," said Sidney Sharp, BSN, R.N., CCRN, the clinical nurse educator of the CVICU. "Our hope with AngelEye in the CVICU is to grant ease of mind to those patients' mothers and families during one of the most stressful times in their lives."
The institute’s CVICU is a 30-bed unit with roughly 90 medical team members monitoring patients 24/7, including intensivists, cardiologists, surgeons, advanced practice nurses, pharmacologists, social workers and specialty nurses.
There are about 26 patients daily, ranging from newborns to older adults. Common conditions include hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), ventricular septal defect (VSD) and atrial septal defect (ASD).
"We are special. We see patients from a couple of hours old to, I believe, our oldest patient is in their 70s because we have an adult congenital heart disease program. Our adult/pediatric cardiologists will see patients throughout their lifetime," Sharp said.
The CVICU has five AngelEye IRIS cameras, which are HIPAA-compliant and antimicrobial. According to AngelEye Health, the cameras include a five-inch LED touch screen, infrared capabilities for clear views and upgradable software.
Parents and caregivers can download the AngelEye Mobile app to access online parent education and one-way patient updates from the medical team.
The five IRIS cameras are rotated between families every seven days for families with children under a year old. Typically, the program prioritizes newborn families whose mothers may be unable to visit the CVICU after giving birth and long-term patient families.
"I wanted fetal moms to have access first because it also helps initiate breastmilk letdown," Sharp said. "Studies show that if you can hold your baby, see your baby and smell your baby, it will help with your milk production."
Any older patient or family in the CVICU can access the AngelEye online education platform.
Sharp created customized education for CVICU patients and families, covering everything from diagnosis-specific aftercare guidance and visitor policies to breastfeeding tips and car seat safety.
It is available in Spanish and will be available in Marshallese.
The CVICU team integrates Epic Rover with AngelEye for patient updates, allowing nurses to send a patient photo or video to the family to demonstrate a care technique.
The medical team can control camera access to ensure focus and the best patient care. Sharp said the technology allows for quick communication regarding visitor restrictions and medical questions.
"If I have something medically urgent that I need them to go back and look at, I can message them and ask them to review it, so they understand," Sharp said. "They do have the option to say more information is needed. That helps me with rounding."
Sharp knows first-hand the technology is making an impact. Two years ago, she gave birth to her son seven weeks early and used the IRIS camera to watch her son from the NICU. She said having this technology in the institute's CVICU elevates patient care.
"I do believe we're on the cutting edge of technology. I'm excited for what the future will hold," Sharp said. "I believe we will use more of this technology throughout our health system."