SGMC Health was recently recognized by the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program as a Gold Safe Sleep Hospital for its commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep.
Created by Cribs for Kids®, a national infant safe sleep organization, this program awards recognition to hospitals that demonstrate a commitment to reducing infant sleep-related deaths by promoting and educating on best safe sleep practices recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). SGMC Health’s Gold recognition is the highest designation the program offers.
Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID, formerly known as SIDS) is a term used to describe the unexpected death of a baby less than one year old when there is no apparent cause. These deaths often happen during sleep. Further investigation often reveals that the baby was not able to breathe properly in their crib or other sleep environment.
SGMC Health Birthplace professional staff screen all babies born at the hospital to ensure every newborn has a safe space to sleep at home. Through a partnership with the SGMC Foundation, babies identified as needing a safe sleeping place are provided a bassinet. In addition, the Foundation also provides a new swaddle to each family featuring “back is best” embroidery to remind caregivers of proper sleep positioning. These swaddles are given at no cost thanks to generous donations.
“This is a great example of how generous donations to the Foundation can enhance the care and well-being of the newest members of our communities,” shared Hilary Gibbs, SGMC Health Vice President and Chief Development Officer.
“Sleep-Related Death (SRD) results in the loss of more than 3,500 infants every year in the U.S.,” said Michael H. Goodstein, MD, neonatologist and medical director of research at Cribs for Kids®. “We know that modeling safe infant sleep in the hospital and providing education to families has a significant effect on infant mortality. Cribs for Kids Hospital Certification Program is designed to recognize those hospitals that are taking an active role in reducing these preventable deaths.”
“We are incredibly proud of this achievement, not for ourselves, but for the families that we serve and the new life we bring into the world,” shared Kendra Butenschon, RN, Patient Care Coordinator in the Nursery. “This certification sets the standard for excellence in infant care, and it will certainly save precious lives.”
The National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program was created in partnership with leading infant health and safety organizations such as All Baby & Child, The National Center for the Review & Prevention of Child Deaths, Association of SIDS and Infant Mortality Programs, Kids in Danger, Children’s Safety Network, American SIDS Institute, Charlie’s Kids, CJ Foundation for SIDS, and numerous state American Academy of Pediatric chapters and health departments.
For more information on the Cribs for Kids® National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program, visit https://cribsforkids.org/hospitalcertification.
