FORT SMITH, Ark. – Baptist Health-Fort Smith was recently recognized by the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program as a “Gold Safe Sleep Hospital” for its commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep.
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 deaths due to sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) and accidental suffocation.
As a nationally certified Safe Sleep Hospital, Baptist Health-Fort Smith is recognized for following the safe sleep guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and providing training programs for health care team members and family caregivers.
Each year, there are about 3,400 sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUID) in the United States, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. These deaths occur among infants less than 1 year old and have no immediately obvious cause. The three commonly reported types of SUID include the following:
- Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- Unknown cause
- Accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that Arkansas had one of the highest rates of sudden expected infant deaths from 2016-2020, along with Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and West Virginia.
“Research shows that certain situations and factors can increase the risk of SUID, but many of these cases are preventable and parents and caregivers can take action to reduce the risk” said Kristin Johnson, BSN, RN, nursing director of Women’s and Children’s at Baptist Health-Fort Smith. “We are committed to modeling safe sleep practices, as well as providing parents and caregivers with as much education as we can about safe sleeping habits so they can feel confident in safely caring for their infants.”
For more information on the Cribs for Kids® National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program, visit cribsforkids.org/hospitalcertification. If you are pregnant or thinking about starting a family, learn more about our services at BaptistHealthWomen.com.
About Baptist Health
For more than a century, Baptist Health has delivered all our best in health care through Christian compassion and innovative services. Baptist Health, Arkansas’ most comprehensive health care organization, is here For You. For Life. – with more than 250 points of access that include 12 hospitals; urgent care centers; a senior living community; over 100 primary and specialty care clinics; a college with studies in nursing and allied health; and a graduate residency program. It is also the largest private not-for-profit health care organization based in Arkansas, providing care through the support of approximately 11,000 employees, groundbreaking treatments, renowned physicians and community outreach programs. For more information about Baptist Health, visit Baptist-Health.com, call Baptist Health HealthLine at 1-888-BAPTIST or download the myBaptistHealth app.