Peek-A-Boo ICU Connects Parents To Babies In Ridgewood

RIDGEWOOD, NJ (WCBS 880) - A new system at a New Jersey hospital connects parents and babies when they can't be in the same room.

Imagine delivering a baby prematurely and then having to leave her behind for treatment in the hospital ICU.

Well, at The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, Dr. Frank Manginello, Director of Neonatology, says parents can now have virtual visits with their babies.

LISTEN: WCBS 880's Pat Farnack with Dr. Frank Manginello

"Leaving a baby behind is very difficult. Sometimes, the mothers are very sick, maybe in an intensive care unit here in the hospital and still separated from the baby. So, anything that their husband may tell them or any picture that they may see on their digital camera isn't the same as actually seeing the baby itself," Dr. Manginello told WCBS 880's Pat Farnack. "So, that's how this concept of setting up a Peek-A-Boo ICU really came about."

LINK: The Valley Hospital

Not only that, this was a tough winter.

Dr. Manginello says, "So there were times when parents couldn't get in to see their babies. So we have times during the day that parents can actually go on to their computer and, in real time, see exactly what's going on with the baby."

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