The Angel Eye™ system provides its users two primary features: 1) one-way video of the hospitalized neonate transmitted virtually to the user and 2) one-way audio of the user as transmitted to the hospitalized neonate using an audio-controlled system that safely controls decibel levels. Also, for the first time in the NICU, Angel Eye has implemented a two-way chat feature in which mothers and NICU nurses can communicate through the portal.
With these technological capabilities, parents and family members can talk, sing, or read to their neonate, while watching the reaction of their neonate from a distance. Angel Eye also empowers families to introduce siblings of the hospitalized neonate to promote family bonding. video of the hospitalized neonate transmitted virtually to the user and 2) one-way audio of the user as transmitted to the hospitalized neonate using an audio-controlled system that safely controls decibel levels. Also, for the first time in the NICU, Angel Eye has implemented a two-way chat feature in which mothers and NICU nurses can communicate through the portal.
With these technological capabilities, parents and family members can talk, sing, or read to their neonate, while watching the reaction of their neonate from a distance. Angel Eye also empowers families to introduce siblings of the hospitalized neonate to promote family bonding.
Evidence of Success
From 2010 to 2015, 1023 families and over 2,600 individuals used Angel Eye to connect and communicate with their neonate at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). Dr. Rhoads successful innovation caught the eye of an investment capitalist and, in 2012, Angel Eye developed into a company. This opportunity resulted in the total number of Angel Eye camera systems increasing to 579 deployed throughout 28 hospitals in 14 states and 2 countries.
Enhanced parent communication such as provided through Angel Eye has been proven to decrease stress and anxiety in mothers and fathers. In addition, Angel Eye reduced the financial stress otherwise experienced by families of neonates in the NICU. Due to tremendous medical advances related to survival of the tiniest of babies, length of stay in the NICU has steadily increased. On average, a NICU stay is 20 days with an average cost of $3,000 per day (2010). The financial costs incurred by parents physically visiting their neonate 3 times a week during a 20 day period averages $2039/couple for rural parents making the minimum wage ($7.90/hr.) and $5079/couple for urban parents making the national average ( $25.80/hr.) Angel Eye helps alleviate this hardship while enabling parents and family members to bond with their hospitalized neonate.