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Recommended Citation
Jester L, Dries J. Safe Sleep. Quality Improvement poster presented at Transforming Practice: The Intersection of Technology and Nursing Excellence; Advocate Health Nursing Research and Professional Development Conference 2025; November 12, 2025; Virtual.
Presentation Notes
Quality Improvement poster presented at Transforming Practice: The Intersection of Technology and Nursing Excellence; Advocate Health Nursing Research and Professional Development Conference 2025; November 12, 2025; Virtual.
Abstract
Background: The leading cause of death for infants 1 month to 1 year is Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUIDs). Each year in the United States, 3500 infants die of sleep-related infant deaths. Between 2019-2021, there were 141 SUID cases in Cook County. 99% of these had one or more unsafe sleep factors. In Cook County, Black infants died at 14 times the rate of White infants and Hispanic infants at three times the rate of White infants. This is above the national average.
Local Problem: Advocate Christ Medical Center (CMC) is a large, Level 3 perinatal hospital in Cook County. The race and ethnicity of CMC’s postpartum patient population includes 45% White, 25% Black and 26% Hispanic.
Method: To model and enforce safe sleep practices, the unit implemented four improvement strategies: 1. New crib cards were created with safe sleep practices on the back side, 2. New signage with the ABCs of Safe Sleep was created and displayed in every patient room, 3. Handouts and board books with information on safe sleep were reviewed and given to patients at discharge, and 4. All staff completed an online module on safe sleep and the Clear the Crib challenge. Monthly audits were completed on safe sleep compliance by both day and night shift nurses.
Results: Education and reinforcement of safe sleep practices increased the number of newborns found to be in a safe sleep environment from 10% to 85%, with Black and Hispanic newborns increasing to 100%.
Implications for Practice: Increasing staff and parental awareness, understanding, and participation in safe sleep practice creates and maintains a safer infant environment in the hospital setting. Nurses play an important role in patient education by increasing a patient's knowledge and confidence in skills they will also need to keep their babies safe after discharge.
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
11-12-2025
Safe Sleep
Background: The leading cause of death for infants 1 month to 1 year is Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUIDs). Each year in the United States, 3500 infants die of sleep-related infant deaths. Between 2019-2021, there were 141 SUID cases in Cook County. 99% of these had one or more unsafe sleep factors. In Cook County, Black infants died at 14 times the rate of White infants and Hispanic infants at three times the rate of White infants. This is above the national average.
Local Problem: Advocate Christ Medical Center (CMC) is a large, Level 3 perinatal hospital in Cook County. The race and ethnicity of CMC’s postpartum patient population includes 45% White, 25% Black and 26% Hispanic.
Method: To model and enforce safe sleep practices, the unit implemented four improvement strategies: 1. New crib cards were created with safe sleep practices on the back side, 2. New signage with the ABCs of Safe Sleep was created and displayed in every patient room, 3. Handouts and board books with information on safe sleep were reviewed and given to patients at discharge, and 4. All staff completed an online module on safe sleep and the Clear the Crib challenge. Monthly audits were completed on safe sleep compliance by both day and night shift nurses.
Results: Education and reinforcement of safe sleep practices increased the number of newborns found to be in a safe sleep environment from 10% to 85%, with Black and Hispanic newborns increasing to 100%.
Implications for Practice: Increasing staff and parental awareness, understanding, and participation in safe sleep practice creates and maintains a safer infant environment in the hospital setting. Nurses play an important role in patient education by increasing a patient's knowledge and confidence in skills they will also need to keep their babies safe after discharge.
Affiliations
Christ Medical Center