Hospital recognized for infant safe sleep practices

it the first hospital in Broward County to receive the accolade, Memorial Hospital West in Pembroke Pines was recently recognized as a champion for its infant sleeping practices.

Cribs for Kids — an organization dedicated to preventing sleep-related infant deaths — created the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program in 2015.

Since, it has recognized hospitals, including Memorial, for infant safe sleep practices. The hospital was named a “Gold Safe Sleep Champion” by the program.

“We are committed to teaching every parent the appropriate sleep position for their newborn. This recognition shows that Memorial Hospital West Family Birthplace shares all the correct information with the — Mary Bridget West Roberts, Director of Nursing and Family Birthplace for Memorial Hospital

patients,” Director of Nursing and Family Birthplace for Memorial Hospital West Mary Bridget Roberts said.

“It is a wonderful award to be recognized for making babies safer. We are doing our part to prevent unnecessary tragedies.”

Memorial Hospital West is also one of the first Florida hospitals to receive the champion title. It was also recognized for its additional infant safe sleep initiatives, including a hospital policy, staff training, parent education and a wearable blanket program.

The National Safe Sleep Hospital CertifiMaking

cation Program has several certification levels including Bronze, Silver, and Gold.

For institutions to become eligible for certification levels, they must be able to demonstrate key marks including hospital staff training and education; hospital safe sleep policy; parent education and modeling; wearable blanket program; community and media outreach; associate with, or become, a Cribs for Kids partner.

ebloch@sun-sentinel.com