— OCALA, Fla. -- AdventHealth Ocala has achieved the Bronze Level Safe Sleep Hospital designation from the Cribs for Kids National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program, for its commitment to reducing the risks of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), Accidental Suffocation and Strangulation in Bed (ASSB), SIDS and unsafe sleep injuries.
To receive this designation, AdventHealth Ocala provides extensive training to its health care team on safe sleep practices and offers safe sleep education to parents and caregivers. Providers also help identify at-risk families who need a safe sleep space for their infant and provide one, free of charge, before they are discharged from the hospital.
“We are honored to receive this recognition, which highlights the outstanding dedication and skill that our staff and providers bring to families in our community,” said Rebecca Cox, Director of Women’s Services for AdventHealth Ocala. “We are committed to making sure our youngest patients are as safe and healthy as possible. By providing education and support to families, we can continue to make an impact in decreasing the risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), Accidental Suffocation and Strangulation in Bed (ASSB), SIDS, and unsafe sleep injuries. Thank you, Cribs for Kids, for recognizing our efforts in promoting infant safe sleep practices."
The National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program was created by Cribs for Kids®, a national infant safe sleep organization, dedicated to preventing infant sleep related injuries and deaths due to SUID and accidental suffocation.
As a Nationally Certified Safe Sleep Hospital, AdventHealth Ocala 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 safe sleep education to family and 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 injuries and deaths.”
Learn more about Mother and Baby Care at AdventHealth Ocala.