WVU Medicine Jefferson Medical Center certified as a safe sleep hospital

RANSON, W.Va. – WVU Medicine Jefferson Medical Center was recently recognized by the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program as a “Gold Safe Sleep Champion” for its commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep. It is one of the first hospitals in West Virginia to receive the title.

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, Jefferson Medical Center 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. Community outreach includes its annual Community Baby Shower as well as participating in the Martinsburg Baby Expo. 

“Sleep-Related Death (SRD) results in the loss of more than 3,500 infants every year in the U.S.,” Michael H. Goodstein, M.D., neonatologist and medical director of research at Cribs for Kids^®, said. “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.”  

Cribs for Kids^® 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-nine 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 2015 in Pittsburgh, home of the Cribs for Kids^® national headquarters.  “Hundreds of participating hospitals across the United States and Quebec Canada, have already 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,” Bannon said. 

“As nurses, we are in a unique position to educate new parents and their families on how to best care for their newborns, and one of the most important aspects of that care involves safe sleep,” Kellie Minney, R.N., OB nurse manager, said. “Jefferson Medical Center’s OB unit is excited to be a part of the Cribs for Kids^® program that will assist us in helping families make educated decisions regarding safe sleep and in making sure that all of our patients have a safe place for their babies to sleep.” 

For more information on the Cribs for Kids^® National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification program visit www.cribsforkids.org/safesleephospitalcertification.