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Newborn Nursery Skill Update

Nurses play a vital role in the U.S. Health care system and greatly impact patient education.  The current research indicates that nurses need to be provided with evidence based medicine regarding the safe sleep environment, sleep position and aspiration and how they can speak to families about reducing the risk of SIDS.  Based on these studies the following recommendations were put forward: 

·         Increase family/caregiver compliance with back sleep position

·         Promote early prenatal care

·         Include SIDS education in prenatal and pediatric care

·         Address African American cultural beliefs/traditions regarding infant sleep position

·         Maintain up-to-date understanding of SIDS safety methods at delivery facilities

·         Review hospital policies and update

·         Nursing Grand Rounds

·         Patient Education Classes

·         Outreach to midwives, child care providers and other health and social services professionals 

A PowerPoint Presentation has been developed as a sample workshop that can be used by hospitals and nurse training programs to address these recommendations and provide nurses with enhanced skills to address patient education regarding “Reducing the Risk of SIDS” and safe sleep environments for infants.   

For a copy of the PowerPoint Presentation on a CD ROM, please email kathleen.graham@firstcandle.org or call 800.638.7437.