Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program Recognizes SJHS

MISHAWAKA, Ind. (May 27, 2020) — Saint Joseph Health System (SJHS) Mishawaka Medical Center and Plymouth Medical Center has been recognized by the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program as a “Certified Safe Sleep Hospital,” for their commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep. SJHS hospitals are the first in the St. Joseph and Marshal Counties to receive this distinction.

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, SJHS 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.”