ODESSA, Texas — Odessa Regional Medical Center understands the challenges families face when they have a newborn in the NICU. To help ease that burden, the hospital has introduced the Angel Eye system, a 24/7 live-streaming service that allows parents to check on their babies anytime, anywhere.
“When the nurse is ready, we start streaming,” said Adilene Garcia, a neonatal registered nurse. “We move the camera to give the parents the best view of their baby, adjusting it as needed.”
This new technology aims to provide families with a sense of comfort and assurance, allowing them to feel connected to their babies even from a distance.
“If they wake up in the middle of the night, they can check on their baby without making a call to the unit,” said Jennifer Oliver, a neonatal nurse practitioner. “It gives them quick relief, knowing their baby is resting safely in our care.”
For parents like Becky Martinez, who has a one-month-old daughter in the NICU, Angel Eye has been a blessing. Having experienced the loss of her first child, the ability to see her daughter through the live stream brings her both peace of mind and a deeper connection.
“It was really hard being at home without our daughter and not knowing when she’d come home,” said Martinez. “When the Angel Eye system went live, it was comforting to see her, even if we couldn’t be there physically.”
Martinez noted that Angel Eye has also supported her breastfeeding journey by allowing her to visually connect with her daughter.
The Angel Eye system has proven to be a game-changer for both parents and the NICU staff. It reduces the call volume to the unit, allowing nurses more time to care for the infants while also building parents’ trust in the care team.
“The NICU experience is a marathon, not a sprint,” Oliver added. “If we can offer families one extra thing to make this time easier, that’s our goal.”
ORMC hopes the Angel Eye system will give families, from parents to grandparents, the peace of mind they need during this challenging time.