Wednesday, February 27, 2002

Baby pictures with a twist

New digital retinal camera system for preemies debuts at SRMC

Southern Regional Medical Center's neonatal intensive care unit recently received a new digital retinal camera system (Ret-Cam) from the medical center's Auxiliary.

The Ret-Cam assists in the detection and management of retinopathy in premature infants.

Retinopathy occurs when the retinas have not fully developed. This can cause vessels to form too rapidly and produce blindness. Because of the progressive nature of the disease, timing of diagnosis is critical. The Ret-Cam meets that time challenge.

Developed by Massie Research Laboratories, the Ret-Cam is a palm-sized, fiberoptic, digital camera specifically designed for the visualization of the retina in premature infants. The camera is attached by a holster to a computer screen, and it allows the user to capture real time images of the internal structure of the eye and check for any signs of disease.

"It works like an ultrasound," says Alisa Dent, RN, BSN. "Gel is placed on the eyes of the babies before the images are taken so there's no discomfort for them."

The images are saved on a digital video disc (DVD) which allows them to be electronically transmitted from the unit to opthamologists who can review the results without leaving their offices.

Southern Regional Medical Center is one of only two hospitals in Georgia that use the Ret-Cam. Premature infants born at SRMC are screened at six weeks of age for eye disease and every two weeks after that. If any problems are detected, doctors can use laser surgery to correct them on an outpatient basis. Shaken baby syndrome can also be detected with this device.

Southern Regional Health System provides comprehensive health resources including: Southern Regional Medical Center, a 406-bed, full-service hospital in Riverdale featuring a state-of-the-art outpatient surgery center, a women's center and one of the busiest and best emergency departments in the state; RiverWoods, Southern Regional Psychiatric Center, a psychiatric facility with a complete continuum of behavioral care services; Southern Regional Homecare, a home health agency providing home health services and home medical equipment and Surgery Center at Mt. Zion, a multi-specialty surgery center in Morrow.