Adelaide’s Women’s and Children’s Hospital is seeking more information about using electronic ankle bracelets on newborns.
In some hospitals interstate and overseas, electronic bracelets are fitted to a baby’s ankle instead of written tags.
The device can be used to track a baby’s movements around the maternity ward, and it could trigger alarms causing doors and lifts to lock if someone tries to remove them.
The tag would also ensure a baby is not swapped or removed from the hospital accidentally.
In a statement the Women’s and Children’s Hospital said it was considering the technology as part of a broader review into IT systems.
“Earlier this month, we put a request for information to the market regarding electronic tracking within our hospital, including tracking medical equipment and the potential for using electronic tags to monitor mothers and their newborn babies,” it said.
“Current practices are completely safe and there have been no cases of babies being lost.
“This process reflects a desire to ensure we remain at the forefront of safe and modern practices.”
South Australian Health Minister Jack Snelling said while the state’s maternity wards are safe and secure, he would consider “anything that could be demonstrated to improve further the safety of babies”.
“We have strict rules around who’s allowed into nurseries to make sure our babies are kept safe,” he said.
“I can’t think of a case where a baby has been taken from one of our maternity hospitals, certainly not in recent times in any case.”
Nursing and Midwifery Federation state secretary Elizabeth Dabars said mothers were often given tags as well.
“There’s a reassuring chirp that occurs when both the right mother and the right baby are placed together, and that chirp does not occur when it’s the wrong baby and the wrong mother,” she said.
“We must do all that we can to protect babies and of course keep their mothers safe as well.”
Associate Professor Dabars said the idea had the union’s full support.
“This would add another layer of security and certainty which I think offers important piece of mind.”