PhD defence R.H.J. (Ronald) van Gils

Below is a brief summary of the dissertation:

Babies who are born too early face serious health challenges, both immediately after birth and later in life. In neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), doctors and nurses work hard to protect these very small and vulnerable infants by preventing infections, supporting healthy growth, and reducing stress as much as possible. This thesis explores how new technologies can help improve care for premature babies while also supporting healthcare staff in their daily work.

The first part of the research focuses on hand hygiene. Good hand hygiene is essential to prevent infections, but it can be difficult to maintain high compliance over time. This thesis introduces the Incubator Traffic Light, a system that gives healthcare staff clear visual feedback when their hands are safe to use after disinfection. A clinical study showed that this simple feedback system greatly improved correct hand hygiene behaviour, which may help reduce serious infections in vulnerable infants.

The second part of the thesis looks at how growth is measured in premature babies. Traditional measurements can be stressful and disturbing for infants. To address this, a new contactless 3D measuring device—the PreemieScanner—was developed. This device can safely measure head size, brain-related growth, and body length without touching the baby. Early testing shows that it provides accurate and reliable results, especially for measuring brain growth.

Together, these innovations demonstrate how practical, user‑friendly technology can make neonatal care safer, gentler, and more effective for both infants and healthcare professionals.