FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: January 30, 2007
Contact:
Janice Freedman
(919) 828-1819
Media Contact:
Vivian Muzyk
(919) 828-1819
N.C. Hospitals Collaborate
to Reduce Infant Death
N.C. Healthy Start
Foundation gathers healthcare professionals and hospitals
across the state to fight the growing number of SIDS
and infant deaths in sleeping environments
(Charlotte, NC) - The
North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation and health
professionals from 10 western counties met last Thursday
to examine how hospitals can better educate parents
about infant safe sleep to reduce the infant
deaths in their communities. Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome (SIDS), also known as "crib death," is
the state's leading cause of death for babies
1-12 months of age and claimed the lives of 108 North
Carolina babies in 2005. In addition to SIDS,
infant deaths from accidental suffocation and
strangulation associated with sleep environment are
on the rise and claimed the lives of 36 infants in
the state in 2005.
The North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation, a non-profit
organization working to reduce infant mortality, together
with the Carolinas Center for Injury Prevention convened
the group of 24 health professionals from 15 hospitals
and health organizations at the Carolinas Medical Center
campus in Charlotte. The meeting was part of a statewide
initiative to address how hospital staff, including
physicians and nurses, can best educate families about
creating safe sleep environments.
In addition to promoting the "back to sleep" position,
the group discussed the need for educational outreach
addressing infant sleep safety to Latinos, the bed
sharing issue and the need for developing consistent
safe sleep messages for all caregivers and parent educators.
"We know that hospital staff can have
a strong influence on parents' behavior after
they leave the hospital," says Christine O'Meara,
coordinator of the N.C. Back to Sleep Campaign housed
at the North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation. "Right
now, hospital safe sleep education varies across the
state. We are exploring ways to work together to create
consistent safe sleep messages in the health community,
educate parents, train staff, and also provide a role
model for caregivers."
O'Meara and Janice Freedman, the North Carolina
Healthy Start Foundation's executive director,
presented information on the state's efforts
to reduce SIDS, national recommendations and model
programs. Krista Ragan with the Office of the Chief
Medical Examiner presented infant death data for North
Carolina.
"Our earlier, successful initiative to reduce
SIDS risks in childcare settings demonstrated that
bringing together interested parties can lead to positive
changes which ultimately protect babies," says
Freedman. "Today was an important next step in
the dialogue with hospitals."
Maternal and child health professionals including
physicians, nurse managers and educators from counties
with high SIDS rates and infant deaths from accidental
suffocation and strangulation joined in the discussion. Participants
included representatives from: Annie Penn Hospital,
Rowan Regional Medical Center, Stanly Regional Medical
Center, Carolinas Medical Center, Carolinas Medical
Center-Pineville, Carolinas Medical Center-University,
Carolinas Medical Center-Union, North East Medical
Center, Greensboro Women's Hospital, Mission
Hospitals, Iredell Memorial Hospital, Davis Regional
Medical Center, Lake Norman Regional Medical Center,
Presbyterian Hospital, Blue Ridge Healthcare-Grace
Hospital.
"We are so grateful to have the participation
of so many healthcare professionals and leaders in
North Carolina's healthcare arena," says O'Meara. "Engaging
our state's birthing centers and hospitals in
this process is a crucial next step to ensure consistency
in North Carolina's battle against SIDS and the
accidental infant deaths associated with the sleep
environment."
The N.C. Healthy Start Foundation, a
nonprofit organization established in 1990, conducts
ongoing public education campaigns, advises state and
local policy makers, and provides technical assistance
and professional training focused on reducing infant
death and illness and improving the health of women
and young children in N.C.
