YOUR NEWBORN FOOTPRINTING SOLUTION

• Back up to wristband security used in maternity wards
• Precise ID for baby switches in hospital (photos not good enough and DNA cannot differentiate identical twins)
• Precise ID for abductions and found babies and young children (DNA testing takes too long and costs too much)
• Provides for biometric ID in electronic medical records (EMRs)
• More precise, usable, faster and cleaner than ink/inkless processes (to nurses, hospitals, moms)
• Develops biometric ID database for babies for hospitals
• Reduces insurance fraud
• Reduces risk of hospital lawsuits (from incorrect baby ID)
• Enhances hospital security status (vs. non-adoptors)
• Serves as deterrent to potential abductors (another means by which babies can be identified)
• Confirmation of baby’s identification for concerned moms

The foot print does not change with age, it is just like a finger print. The problem with taking a baby’s finger print is that they tend to clench their hands early on and one has the risk of hurting the infant trying to get the hand open. In addition, the fingers are really small. Iris scans will not work because babies tend to close their eyes often and their iris’ change shape – often until age 2.

It uses LiveScan high resolution image capture technology.

The scanner uses low voltage imaging technology that is entirely safe.

The CertaScan system consists of advanced scanning equipment, our patented software and affiliated services including installation, training and maintenance. Hospitals can also choose to add infant security photos and mom's index fingerprints to the digital records.

Yes. When a nurse scans a baby’s foot, a copy of the foot print is printed out on an attractive “Baby’s First Foot Print” certificate with the baby’s name, birth date and time, weight and height. The hospital’s logo is also put on the certificate. When mom gets home, she can go to the company's website, www.firstfootprint.com and (1) download and print a copy of the certificate she received at the hospital, (2) download a digital copy of her baby's footprint for safekeeping and (3) customize her newborn's footprint certificate by adding baby's name in a choice of fonts, adding color to the certificate and placing a choice of borders around it.

CertaScan is HIPAA compliant. The company does not have any access to Patient Medical Information. Captured data and images are encrypted to meet the Federal Information Process Standard (FIPS) 140-2 encryption.

When a newborn footprint is taken in a hospital, it is loaded into a fully secure database that can only be retrieved by the hospital where the footprint is taken and by the mother of the newborn. Access to the database requires a password.

The digitally scanned foot print can be loaded by the hospital into the patient’s electronic medical record.

• The best way to reach CertaScan is by phone (1-800-240-9232), by email (info@certascantek.com) or filling out the form in the Contact Us section of this website.
• Once you contact us, we will schedule a call and/or an in-hospital visit/demo with you and your team to review the CertaScan Infant Safety System.
• Next steps will include information sharing, completing forms (including your standard hospital Business Associate Agreement) and the signing of a service contract.

The most recent child abduction from a health care facility in the U.S. occurred on October 22, 2020, in Monroe, Louisiana from St. Francis Medical Center.According to Louisiana State Police, the baby was taken from St. Francis Medical Center just after 11:20 p.m. Subsequently, Louisiana State Police issued a Level II Endangered/Missing Child Advisory on behalf of the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office. According to police, the possible father, 35-year-old Travis Hargrove, left the hospital with the baby hidden in a black backpack. The infant was found unharmed and returned to the hospital.

According to the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), there have been 337 reported cases of abducted infants in the United States from 1965 through December 2022 (one involving a set of twins). Forty two percent of these cases have been from healthcare facilities and the rest from mother’s homes and other places. These abductions are wrenching experiences for the parents and child and almost 23% of the time result in violence. Through the great efforts of NCMEC and numerous law enforcement agencies, most of the abducted babies were found. However, the risk of another abduction continues to exist, and hospitals and moms must be vigilant and not become complacent. There have been a number of attempted abductions that have occurred in U.S. hospitals and outside the hospital buildings.

This list of characteristics was developed from an analysis of 334 cases occurring from 1964 through September 2021.

• Usually a female of childbearing age who appears pregnant.
• Most likely compulsive; most often relies on manipulation, lying and deception.
• Frequently indicates she has lost a baby or is incapable of having one.
• Often married or cohabitating; companion’s desire for a baby or the abductor’s desire to provide her companion with “his” baby may be the motivation for the abduction.  
• Usually lives in the community where the abduction takes place.
• Frequently initially visits nursery and maternity units at more than one health care facility prior to the abduction; asks detailed questions about procedures and the maternity floor layout; frequently uses a fire exit stairwell for her escape; and may also try to abduct from the home setting.
• Usually plans the abduction but does not necessarily target a specific infant; frequently seizes any opportunity present to abduct a baby.
• Frequently impersonates a nurse or other allied health care personnel.  
• Often becomes familiar with health care staff members, staff member work routines and victim parents.
• Often demonstrates a capability to provide care to the baby once the abduction occurs, within her emotional and physical abilities.

Methods used to identify infants abducted from hospitals – upon recovery – 1983 to present. View More ⮞

Sixty five percent (65%) of US hospitals still use ink or inkless paper methods for foot printing infants. Due to its ineffectiveness for identification it devolved into a mere keepsake for parents. The balance of US hospitals have ceased taking footprints. In some states it is the law that hospitals take footprints and in many other states it is highly recommended by hospital associations and the law enforcement community. The CertaScan system is compliant with the latest NCMEC’s Infant Security Guidelines. Furthermore, enhanced compliance is in line with the Joint Commissions’ Patient Identification standard.