North Arkansas Regional Medical Center is proud to announce that it has achieved the Silver Safe Sleep Leader certification from Cribs for Kids. Silver Safe Sleep Leader hospitals are committed to reducing infant sleep-related deaths by establishing an infant safe sleep policy and modeling infant safe sleep throughout the health center.
“Being a champion of safe sleep is a testament of the quality care NARMC provides to our community,” Dawn Brown, BSN, RN, OB Nurse Manager, said. “Providing education and communication regarding what a safe sleep environment looks like impacts a child’s life greatly.”
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), approximately 3,500 infants die from sleep-related deaths each year in the U.S., including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), ill-defined deaths and accidental suffocation, and strangulation. The AAP defines a safe sleep environment as the same bedroom as the baby’s parents, but on a separate surface until the baby is a year old to decrease the risks of sleep-related deaths. Soft surfaces such as a couch or armchair should be avoided. The AAP recommends placing the baby on their back on a firm sleep surface such as a crib or bassinet with a tight-fitting sheet. Soft bedding, crib bumpers, blankets, pillows and soft toys should be avoided in the sleep environment. Exposure to smoke, alcohol and illicit drugs should be avoided.
NARMC focuses on safety and quality care. The Silver Safe Sleep Leader certification is another accreditation that proves NARMC’s commitment to excellence. In order to receive the certification, NARMC provides training and education to staff members, has a safe sleep policy in place, provides education and modeling for parents and participates in the wearable blanket program.
Cribs for Kids offers three safe sleep hospital certifications, including bronze, silver and gold.