Instructions or bracelets, How to avoid kidnapping babies ?

The kidnapping of babies in French maternity units may well be rare, they are always a concern . Removal on Tuesday evening a newborn in Nancy ( Meurthe-et- Moselle) revived the debate on the safety or the use of electronic Baby bracelets by institutions to avoid this kind of event.

According to the Directorate General of health care provision ( DGOS ) , there are one to two abductions of infants in France each year. But we do not know the number of aborted attempts for various reasons because they are not reported to all courts. French maternity therefore necessarily reflect the means to avoid them.

In this regard, " each institution shall establish its own procedures ," explained Xavier Tartas early August , the director of the maternity Lilas ( Seine -Saint- Denis ) . For example, in this hospital that records 1,700 births per year , the output of newborns is " prohibited as a right has not been issued, the number of visitors is limited to two per room and when a mother leaves her baby in the nursery , she entrusts a person and it is with her as she recovers . "


65,000 electronic Baby bracelets used in 2011

But Xavier Tartas conceded , "we could never prevent a kidnapping babies , except to secure maternity as prisons , and that is what some are doing ."

Indeed, fifty schools in France are equipped with electronic Baby bracelets, that is placed around the ankles of infants. Any damage to the Baby bracelets, or a baby alarm output a defined perimeter, active .

"The first was installed in the hospital Raincy - Montfermeil ( Seine -Saint- Denis ) in 2007 after a series of kidnappings ," told this was Laurent Levasseur , Director General Bluelinea that offers this type of baby bracelets. In 2011, " 65,000 babies have been protected (note: about 800 000 births) ," he stated .

According to him, "more and more maternity need to be equipped , because unlike the United States or Great Britain, France, hospitals are places open to all and you can enter a room very easily ."

Hospital Hautepierre , Strasbourg, where 3000 births take place each year , adopted the system in 2008. "This tool gives us an additional guarantee , helps us to limit the seed , but we do not condone , however, and it does not change the vigilance of staff " asserted in August its director, Philippe Spetz .

Neuilly prefer to follow U.S. standards

A maternity American Hospital Neuilly ( Hauts-de- Seine), the system was abandoned because it was considered " inconclusive ." Preferred " follow U.S. safety standards ," stated one . For example, " the instructions displayed in the rooms invite moms never leave their baby alone , even when they are taking a shower , but to take with them in the bathroom or to entrust it to the nursery ," explained t be .

"This nursery is available only with a badge , the exits are equipped with alarms, and in case of emergency , the hospital is automatically closed ", pursued one . " Exercises are held regularly to train to meet the kidnapping protocol baby" finally added the hospital , like many others , has never had to deplore any removal .