Feb. 27, 2017 | Sarah J. Rhoads, PhD, DNP, APRN, a graduate of the College of Nursing’s PhD program, has been named an Edge Runner by the American Academy of Nursing for her work as program director of Angel Eye Camera Systems in the UAMS Center for Distance Health.
The Edge Runner program is part of the American Academy of Nursing’s Raise the Voice campaign that celebrates programs and projects that have improved care for patients, families and communities.
Angel Eye Camera Systems allows parents to see and talk to their baby in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) through live streaming video.
Rhoads was recognized for her “remarkable work” in using Angel Eye to “improve communication and promote bonding” between parents and their children in the hospital, said AAN President Bobbie Berkowitz, PhD, in a news release.
“I am honored to be a part of this group,” said Rhoads, who is also an associate professor in the College of Medicine’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with many visionaries in the Center for Distance Health who use innovative approaches to improve health care and it’s wonderful for our work to be recognized.”
Angel Eye, established in 2013 with support from UAMS BioVentures, is accessible day or night from a mobile phone or computer.
“As a nurse and mother, I relate to the struggle of mothers who have a baby in the NICU,” said Rhoads. “Sometimes, they have to make the difficult decision of staying with their new little one or taking care of other children at home. Technology, when implemented appropriately, can be an effective way to help ease the stress for these families.”
The camera system is used in 23 hospitals in eight states including Arkansas, Massachusetts, Texas, Pennsylvania, New York, Missouri, Florida and Connecticut. The camera system was developed at UAMS in 2006, which has 26 cameras in its 64-bed NICU.