Cary Medical Center was recently recognized by the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program as a “Bronze Level Certified Safe Sleep Hospital,” for their commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep.

The National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program was created by Cribs for Kids®, the only national infant safe sleep organization.  Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Cribs for kids is dedicated to preventing infant sleep-related deaths due to accidental suffocation. As a Nationally Certified Safe Sleep Hospital, Cary Medical Center, 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 family 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 deaths.”

“Currently, in the State of Maine for every 1,000 live births, there are 5 infant deaths. At Cary, our priority is providing education to all new families on how to best care for and protect their babies. By joining other birthing hospitals in Maine and throughout the country in this effort, we are presenting one unified message to all families of children under the age of one on the importance of safe sleep practices. Our tiniest patients are relying on us all to love and keep them safe,” said Jennifer Plante, RNC-OB, and Maternal Child Primary Charge Nurse.

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 certification program launched in 2015 in Pittsburgh, PA, home of the Cribs for Kids® national headquarters.  Hundreds of hospitals across the US are certified. We welcome Cary Medical Center to this expanding group of committed hospitals. This will have a profound effect on the saving babies’ lives.”

For more information on the Cribs for Kids® National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification program visit https://cribsforkids.org/hospitalcertification/

(Pictured L-R) Maternal/Child team members; Susan Miller, LPN, Hope Shea, CNA, Kacey Soucy, RN-BSN, Director of Inpatient Nursing, Jen Plante, BSN, RNC-OB, Maternal Child Primary Charge Nurse, Dahna Plourde, RN-BSN, Mariah Hebert, RN-BSN, and Stephanie Graham, RN-BSN.