Faculty Collaboration Database

Implementing a Statewide Safe to Sleep Hospital Initiative: Lessons Learned. J Community Health 2018 Aug;43(4):768-774

Date

02/25/2018

Pubmed ID

29476308

DOI

10.1007/s10900-018-0483-3

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85049536423 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   6 Citations

Abstract

Sleep-related infant deaths continue to be a major, largely preventable cause of infant mortality, especially in Georgia. The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), as part of a multi-pronged safe infant sleep campaign, implemented a hospital initiative to (1) provide accurate safe infant sleep information to hospital personnel; (2) support hospitals in implementing and modeling safe sleep practices; and (3) provide guidance on addressing caregiver safe sleep concerns. A process evaluation was conducted to determine progress toward four goals set out by DPH: (1) all birthing hospitals have a safe infant sleep policy; (2) all safe infant sleep policies reference the AAP 2011 recommendations; (3) all safe infant sleep policies specify the type and/or content of patient safe sleep education; and (4) all hospitals require regular staff training on safe sleep recommendations. Data were collected via structured interviews and document review of crib audit data and safe sleep policies. All 79 birthing hospitals in the state participated in the statewide campaign. Prior to the initiative, 44.3% of hospitals had a safe sleep policy in place; currently, 87.3% have a policy in place. The majority (91.4%) of hospitals have provided safe sleep training to their staff at this time. Important lessons include: (1) Engagement is vital to success; (2) A comprehensive implementation guide is critical; (3) Piloting the program provides opportunities for refinement; (4) Ongoing support addresses barriers; and (5) Senior leadership facilitates success.

Author List

Miller TJ, Salm Ward TC, McClellan MM, Dawson L, Ford K, Polatty L, Walcott RL, Corso PS

Author

Trina Salm Ward PhD, APSW Assistant Professor in the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare department at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Caregivers
Georgia
Hospital Administration
Humans
Infant
Infant Mortality
Infant, Newborn
Inservice Training
Patient Education as Topic
Policy
Sudden Infant Death