Abstract
Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate patterns of webcam use in families of patients
admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) during the first year of the pandemic
and characterize the families who used the technology.
Study Design Retrospective chart review of the medical records and logins of our live webcam system
was conducted for 2020.
Results From January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020, 843 infants were admitted to the NICU,
with lengths of stay range of 1 to 169 days. More than half (n = 496, 58.8%) of all families of infants admitted to the NICU used the webcam system
during the period of study. The number of webcam users did not change between the
pre-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and during COVID-19 time periods, or during
versus after NICU visitor restrictions. Among webcam users, the median (interquartile
range) number of logins per day was 2.9 (2.9) and ranged from 0 to 44. There were
significant differences among races, site of admission, and diagnosis groups. Families
of White infants had more frequent use compared with families of Black infants. Families
of infants admitted for surgical reasons had more frequent use compared with those
admitted for medical reasons. Among 284 of the 496 (57.3%) webcam users, we documented
logins from 37 states in the United States and from 10 different countries.
Conclusion Webcam use is common in the NICU. There was no increase in webcam use within the
first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in the NICU. More studies are needed to evaluate
how this technology is used in the NICU and its impact on patients and families.
Key Points
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Webcam use in the NICU is common.
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Visitor restrictions did not increase webcam use.
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We observed racial differences in webcam use.
Keywords
NICU - webcam - neonate - COVID-19
