Infant abduction from a hospital is not a common event but when it happens, the results can be devastating. Most often, news reports highlight stories of babies taken by non-custodial family members, or by women or couples who are desperate to have a baby.
In the last 20 years, only 132 infant abductions from a hospital occurred in this country. But even one is too many. That’s why the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania takes this crime so seriously, using a state-of-the-art electronic security system, trained staff, and yearly “Code Amber” drills to ensure the safety of its most vulnerable patients.
Advanced technology helps protect all infants on HUP’s postpartum and labor and delivery units. A special sensor tag on a baby’s ankle registers the name and room on Navicare and continually tracks the infant’s exact location, on the unit or anywhere in the hospital. An alarm sounds within seconds if someone tries to tamper with the tag in any way.
If an infant is brought too close to the unit entrance, another alarm sounds and the door automatically locks until the baby is moved back beyond the warning radius. Even the elevators are connected to this alarm system. “A person might get on the elevator but it won’t go anywhere,”said Joe Forte, director of HUP Security, adding that cameras throughout the two units digitally record activity 24 hours a day.
To help Security cover HUP’s numerous exits, a specially trained Perimeter Control team, comprising members of Support Services, immediately “secure” the nearest exit when a Code Amber is called. And, once the alert is called, everyone who leaves the facility – including staff – is asked to voluntarily agree to a search of their property and/or person. A visual non-contact search occurs of all large boxes and bags – even handbags large enough to conceal an infant. Large coats must be removed. If an individual refuses, Security is immediately contacted.
Nurses play a significant role in keeping babies safe. All staff undergo competency training and have an assigned zone on the unit. If an alarm goes off, they immediately count babies in their areas and also cover all exits to the unit. Mothers also receive training. Because abductors have been known to wear scrubs and impersonate a nurse to take the baby, the unit staff wear special ID tags to identify them.
HUP’s Infant Security Committee — a multidisciplinary group which includes Security, Nursing and other departments – meet monthly to examine concerns and plan the annual Code Amber drill. During this year’s drill, the “abductor” (played by an employee) dressed in scrubs and went into a patient’s room. This mom had agreed to take part in the drill and knew exactly what would be happening ahead of time, including the identity of the abductor. But her baby was nowhere near the scene. The charge nurse and a member of Security brought the baby to the nurse manager’s office; the infant did not leave the unit. A doll was used in the baby’s place.
Forte said this was one of their most challenging drills but “we had outstanding results…. You always learn things in a drill to make the process even more secure.”