April 12, 2021

NATIONAL SAFE SLEEP HOSPITAL CERTIFICATION PROGAM RECOGNIZES SULLIVAN COUNTY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

(Sullivan, IN): April 12, 2021 Sullivan County Community Hospital was recently recognized by the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program as a Gold Safe Sleep Champion for their commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep.

The National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program was created by Cribs for Kids®, the only national infant safe sleep organization.  Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Cribs for kids is dedicated to preventing infant sleep-related deaths due to accidental suffocation. As a Nationally Certified Safe Sleep Hospital, SCCH is recognized for following the safe sleep guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and providing training programs for healthcare team members, and family caregivers.

“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 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.”

Judy Titzer, Quality Coordinator and RN Team Lead at SCCH is proud of the team members who worked diligently to receive this important certification. “As part of the community, we at Sullivan County Community Hospital take our role seriously to help reduce sleep related deaths.  Besides the education we give our parents, we offer that same education to grandparents and visitors, as well as to the community,” Titzer said.

Sleeping babies should be on their backs in the crib alone, with no blankets or toys or hats.  We make sure that all of our infants under one year of age have a safe sleep environment while visiting our hospital… and when they go home.  All newborns are gifted with a pink or blue swaddler to keep them warm, so caregivers will not be tempted to use a blanket in baby’s crib,” Titzer added.

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 certification program launched in 2015 in Pittsburgh, PA, home of the Cribs for Kids® national headquarters.  Hundreds of hospitals across the US are certified. We welcome Sullivan County Community Hospital to this expanding group of committed hospitals.  This will have a profound effect on the saving babies’ lives.”

For more information on the Cribs for Kids® National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification program visit https://cribsforkids.org/hospitalcertification/

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