An Evidence-Based Safe Sleep Program Is Associated With Less Infant Sleep-Related Deaths

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pediatrics
• Healthcare Quality Improvement

Background:

• Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) remains a significant cause of infant mortality in the U.S.
• Hospital-based infant safe sleep programs have shown variable success in improving practices.
• Few programs have demonstrated sustained improvements in both hospital and home safe sleep practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a state-wide, evidence-based infant safe sleep program on nurse knowledge and practices.
• To assess changes in safe sleep environments within birthing hospitals.
• To analyze trends in infant sleep-related deaths following program implementation.

Main Methods:

• A pre- and post-test quality improvement design was employed from 2016 to 2021.
• Nurse subject matter experts (SMEs) were trained to educate peers and conduct practice surveillance.
• A community awareness campaign and website with resources were utilized alongside hospital interventions.

Main Results:

• 83.4% of trained nurses reported increased proactivity in safe sleep environment surveillance.
• Post-implementation audits showed a significant increase in infants in safe sleep positions (94.3% vs. 89.6%).
• Infant sleep-related deaths decreased by 16.1% in four program hospitals.

Conclusions:

• The state-wide safe sleep program enhanced hospital nurses' knowledge and practices.
• The program improved birth parent knowledge and safe sleep behaviors.
• The initiative was associated with a notable reduction in infant sleep-related deaths.