Cincinnati (April 8, 2015) – The Christ Hospital Health Network is implementing a new safe sleep program in its birthing center. The safe sleep program includes new best practices, extensive staff and parent education, and the use of sleep sacks for all newborns.
“As Cincinnati’s leading health care provider, The Christ Hospital Health Network is committed to educating expectant mothers in safe baby care,” said Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Debbie Hayes, RN, MS, NEA-BC. “We are leading by example to protect our tiniest patients and improve the health of our community.”
The safe sleep program was created to assist in the endeavors to reduce infant mortality. “Hamilton has been noted as being ranked in the lowest 10% of counties in the nation with a rate of 9.5 deaths per 1,000 live births,” said Special Care Nursery and Mother Baby Clinical Nurse Educator Charla Payne. “The Christ Hospital Birthing Center is dedicated to combatting these alarming statistics.”
As part of the safe sleep program, sleep sacks will replace the use of blankets in the birthing center. “The use of blankets in cribs has been associated with an increased risk of suffocation or SIDS,” said Payne. “We are devoted to demonstrating the sleep sack practice while the babies are in our care, and providing each family with a sleep sack to use at home as well.”
In partnership with Joseph Beth, The Christ Hospital Health Network will provide a voucher to the parents of all newborns prior to discharge for a new, complimentary sleep sack that can be picked up at the Joseph Beth Gift Shop in The Christ Hospital. Joseph Beth and The Christ Hospital Heath Network are sharing the cost of these sleep sacks. The Joseph Beth Gift Shop will also offer a variety of sleep sacks in their store located in The Christ Hospital for purchase.
The safe sleep program also focuses on parent education. “Our goal is to empower new parents to manage stress and make healthy choices,” said Obstetrics and Gynecology Divisional Chief Elbert Nelson, MD. “Parents are provided with written information regarding safe sleep, a video on their hospital television to view, and a personal conversation with staff. These practices are also demonstrated and discussed in prenatal education classes.”
The Christ Hospital Health Network is working collaboratively with the Ohio Hospital Association, The Ohio Department of Health and Cradle Cincinnati to frequently assess the safe sleep environment in the Birthing Center and update practices accordingly.
“We are proud to partner with The Christ Hospital Health Network to combine resources to promote safe sleep and combat infant mortality,” said Ryan Adcock, Executive Director of Cradle Cincinnati. “Improving safe sleep is one of our key areas of focus. Evidence shows that babies sleep safest when they sleep alone, on their backs and in a crib.”
About The Christ Hospital Health Network: The Christ Hospital Health Network is a regional care system comprised of The Christ Hospital and more than 100 outpatient/physician locations in the Greater Cincinnati area. Our mission is to improve the health of our community and to create patient value by providing exceptional outcomes, affordable care and the finest experiences. Led by the region’s Most Preferred hospital (National Research Corporation), the network is dedicated to transforming care by delivering integrated, individualized healthcare and wellness services through its comprehensive physician network and advanced specialty service. For more than 125 years, The Christ Hospital has provided compassionate care to all those we serve.