Crestwood Medical Center Uses New Technology to Enhance Maternal and Fetal Safety
6/28/2022
HUNTSVILLE, AL (6/27/22) – The childbirth team at Crestwood Medical Center is now using an artificial intelligence-based maternal-fetal early warning system called PeriWatch Vigilance to enhance patient safety during labor and delivery. The system continuously monitors maternal vital signs, fetal heart rate, contractions, and labor progression to help clinicians quickly identify any concerning developments for faster intervention.
Crestwood Medical Center delivered more than 1,300 babies in 2021. Sharon Callison, M.D., an obstetrician and chief of OB/GYN Crestwood, indicates this new technology is an important resource to support maternal/fetal health and safe deliveries.
“Every delivery is unique so the health and well-being of every mom and baby is our priority during childbirth,” says Dr. Callison. “While most births happen without complication, there are some inherent risks in the delivery of a newborn. This new technology adds another layer of protection throughout the labor process to help our maternity team recognize, prevent and respond to avoidable complications.”
Through pattern recognition, the technology can also pinpoint opportunities for overall improvement based on consolidated data from multiple births. As the maternity team reviews trends and identifies areas where improvement is possible, the hospital can use that information to develop protocols that further increase safety and may lead to better outcomes for mothers and babies.
“By investing in this technology, Crestwood Medical Center is making labor and delivery safer for mothers and babies,” said Kris Goodwin, MSN, FNP-BC, BSN, chief nursing officer. “Our physicians and nurses are highly skilled medical professionals and excellent caregivers and they appreciate the use of technology to support their work, especially when it helps keep our patients safe.”
In 2020, Crestwood completed an expansion of its neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to 10, all-private rooms. These private rooms allow parents to stay overnight with their newborn and give our experienced neonatal staff more access and interaction with the family to answer questions and ensure they are comfortable and confident in caring for their new babies. The newly expanded NICU also features a special room to accommodate twins and a family bathroom with a shower.
To learn more about Crestwood’s maternity center or to find a physician, visit our maternity care services page or call (256) 429-5250. The team is available for personal tours by appointment.
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