TWO MORE WELLSPAN HOSPITALS EARN SAFE
SLEEP HOSPITAL CERTIFICATION
Achievement now brings all WellSpan Health
hospitals in line with national best practices ??
YORK, Pa. (NOVEMBER 29, 2021) – Today WellSpan Health announces
that WellSpan?Chambersburg?Hospital and WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital have
been?recognized by the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program as
certified safe sleep facilities for their commitment to best practices and
education on infant safe sleep. These hospitals
join all other WellSpan hospitals with labor and
delivery services (WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital, WellSpan Good
Samaritan Hospital and WellSpan York Hospital) as holding this
‘best practice’ designation.
??
"Sleep-related
death results in the loss of more than 3,500 infants every year in the
U.S.," said Michael H. Goodstein, M.D.,?neonatologist?at WellSpan York
Hospital 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."???
As a
nationally certified Safe Sleep Hospital, the hospitals are recognized for
following the safe sleep guidelines recommended by the American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP) and for providing training programs for healthcare team
members and family caregivers.???
??
Each
hospital has trained maternity staff on patient education regarding safe
newborn sleep.? After teaching parents about the importance of the ABC’s of
safe sleep (see below), about not smoking, using a firm flat
mattress, breastfeeding and other safe sleep practices, the staff asks new
moms to sign a "safe sleep pledge."??
?
To
help families follow safe sleep practices at home, the hospitals also give
all new babies a sleeping sack, for use instead of a blanket, and donates
a portable crib to parents who do not have a crib at their home.???
??
"We
want to send new families into the community with the very best tools to
raise a healthy baby," said?Dr.
Goodstein. "Safe sleep practices
are?vitally?important.?Always remember the ABCs of safe sleep: Place babies?alone,
on their?back, in an uncluttered?crib."??
???
The
National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program was created by Cribs for
Kids in partnership with leading infant health and safety organizations.?? For
more on safe sleep and maternity care at WellSpan, visit WellSpan.org/Maternity.
|