By Fox23.com News Staff
TULSA, Okla. — Ascension St. John has officially been certified as a Gold Cribs for Kids National Safe Sleep Hospital.
Cribs for Kids is a national initiative aimed at reducing infant mortality through teaching parents and caregivers important safe sleep practices.
The certification indicates Ascension St. John staff are diligent in practicing and demonstrating safe sleep practices while infants are staying in their hospital.
“Sleep related deaths are the number one reason we lose our babies each year—3,400 infants annually,” said Michael H. Goodstein, a neonatologist and the Medical Director at Cribs for Kids. “We know that parents do at home what they see done in the hospital, so modeling safe sleep and providing education to families will have an impact on infant mortality. The Cribs for Kids program recognizes hospitals making this commitment.”
Oklahoma ranks poorly in infant mortality rates compared to other states and currently ranks as the seventh highest state for rates of sudden unexpected infant death syndrome (SUIDS).
Nursing Director of Women and Children’s Services at Ascension St. John, Ashlee Campbell, stated, “Our team worked incredibly hard to earn this recognition, and it truly reflects the priority we place on safe sleep and the care of our babies. We are committed to ensuring every newborn and infant at Ascension St. John’s Medical Center receives the highest level of care, including following safe sleep practices that align with the guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics.”
Currently, there are over 500 infant safe sleep certified hospitals across the United States and beyond.
To learn more about the Cribs for Kids National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program, click here.
