Alabama hospital uses digital imaging to create newborn footprints

At Tuscaloosa’s DCH Regional Medical Center in Alabama, nurses are utilizing the latest imaging technology to create digital footprints of a newborn, WBRC Fox 6 News reports.

Traditionally, the hospital has used ink to make imprints of a baby’s foot, but the new scanner produces a digital ID that lasts longer and can be more easily identified if a baby should go missing, Fox 6 reported.

Each mother received a printed copy of the image and can view the digital version at home on their own computer.

“It's new technology that the company has worked with many maternity units and national centers for missing and exploited children to enhance our safety features with our newborns and their mothers," said Traci Swann, a registered nurse and manager in DCH’s pediatric unit.

Read the entire story below:

""

Matt joined Chicago’s TriMed team in 2018 covering all areas of health imaging after two years reporting on the hospital field. He holds a bachelor’s in English from UIC, and enjoys a good cup of coffee and an interesting documentary.

Around the web

Positron, a New York-based nuclear imaging company, will now provide Upbeat Cardiology Solutions with advanced PET/CT systems and services. 

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.