LVMC Earns National Safe Sleep Hospital Recognition

Lompoc Valley Medical Center was recently recognized for the second year by the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program with a “Bronze” designation for its commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep.

The National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program was created by Cribs for Kids, a national infant safe sleep organization.

The Pittsburgh, PA-based organization is dedicated to preventing infant sleep-related deaths due to Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) or accidental suffocation.

As a nationally certified Safe Sleep Hospital, LVMC is recognized for following the safe sleep guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and providing training programs for healthcare team members and family caregivers.

“We are very excited to be recertified for this second year,” said LVMC Director of Perinatal Services Melinda DeHoyos. “It is so important to teach our new mothers how to practice safe sleep routines before they are discharged from the hospital. We take pride in promoting safe sleep practices and educating our community on keeping babies as safe as possible while reducing the risk of SIDS. We hope to continue to grow with this safe sleep program and provide our community the education and tools they need to continue to provide safe sleep environments for their babies.”

Sleep-related death results in the loss of more than 3,500 infants every year in the U.S., according to Neonatologist Michael H. Goodstein, M.D., 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,” Dr. Goodstein said. “Cribs for Kids Hospital Certification Program is designed to recognize those hospitals that are taking an active role in reducing these preventable deaths.”

Safe sleep includes ensuring babies are always put to sleep on their backs on a firm, flat surface and that all soft bedding, bumpers, and toys are removed from the sleep space.

The certification program started in 2015 in Pennsylvania; hundreds of hospitals are certified nationwide.

“We welcome Lompoc Valley Medical Center to this expanding group of committed hospitals,” said Cribs for Kids Executive Director and Founder Judith A. Bannon.

The National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program was created in partnership with leading infant health and safety organizations such as All Baby & Child, the National Center for the Review & Prevention of Child Deaths, the Association of SIDS and Infant Mortality Programs, Kids in Danger, Children’s Safety Network, American SIDS Institute, Charlie’s Kids, CJ Foundation for SIDS and numerous state American Academy of Pediatric chapters and health departments.