National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program Recognizes The Christ Hospital as a “Gold Safe Sleep Champion”

Awarded for Commitment to Best Practices and Education on Infant Safe Sleep

Cincinnati (July 20, 2016) – The Christ Hospital was recently recognized by the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program as a “Gold Safe Sleep Champion”, the highest designation available, for its commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep.
“As Cincinnati’s leading healthcare provider, The Christ Hospital is committed to educating expectant mothers in safe baby care,” said Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer Julie Holt, RN, MSN, CENP. “We are leading by example to transform the way infant care is delivered, protect our tiniest patients and improve the health of our community.”
The National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program was created by Cribs for Kids®, a Pittsburgh-based organization dedicated to preventing infant, sleep-related deaths due to accidental suffocation. In addition to being Cribs for Kids® partners, The Christ Hospital was recognized for following the safe sleep guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and providing training programs for parents, staff and the community.

The Christ Hospital works 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.

In 2015, The Christ Hospital implemented 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. 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 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 provides 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.

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.”

“Sleep-Related Death (SRD) results in the loss of more than 3,500 infants every year in the U.S.,” said Michael H. Goodstein, M.D., neonatologist and medical director of research at Cribs for Kids®. “We know that consistent education can have a profound effect on infant mortality, and this program is designed to encourage safe sleep education and to recognize those hospitals that are taking an active role in reducing these preventable deaths.” 
 
This program is well-aligned with the Maternal Child Health Bureau's vision of reducing infant mortality through the promotion of infant sleep safety as outlined in Infant Mortality CoIIN Initiative.  Thirty-six states have designated SIDS/SUID/SRD as their emphasis to reduce infant mortality.

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.

According to Judith A. Bannon, Executive Director and Founder for Cribs for Kids®, “The program kicked off in June of 2015 in Pittsburgh, PA, home of the Cribs for Kids® national headquarters.  Sixteen states and Quebec Canada are represented among the 38 certified hospitals which have achieved the ‘Gold Champion’ status, or are working their way toward it.  This will have a profound effect on the number of babies’ lives that will be saved.”
For more information on the Cribs for Kids® National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification program visit http://www.cribsforkids.org/safesleephospitalcertification/.
To learn more about The Christ Hospital Health Network Birthing Center and childbirth education, visit http://www.thechristhospital.com/services/womens-health/birthing-center.

About The Christ Hospital Health Network: The Christ Hospital Health Network is an acute care hospital located in Mt. Auburn with five ambulatory centers and 181 neighborhood offices conveniently located throughout the Greater Cincinnati area. Its mission is to improve the health of the 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) for 19 consecutive years, the network is dedicated to transforming care by delivering integrated, individualized healthcare and wellness services through its comprehensive physician network and advanced specialty service. The Christ Hospital is among only 6% of hospitals in the nation to be awarded Magnet recognition for nursing excellence and among the top 5% of hospitals in the country for patient satisfaction. For more than 125 years, The Christ Hospital has provided compassionate care to all those it serves.