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Press Releases

NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue Receives National Recognition for Support of Infant Safe Sleep Practices

Jun 05, 2018

New York, NY

NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue has been recognized by the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program for its commitment to supporting infant safe sleep best practices and education.

“NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue is committed to reducing sleep-related deaths within our community by employing safe sleep best practices and education among staff and parents,” said William Hicks, Chief Executive Officer, NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. “This national recognition is another example of the hospital’s continued commitment to provide the highest of care for all patients, and in this specific case, providing the best care to the newest additions to our community.”

“Establishing a safe sleep environment starts in the hospital—through teachable moments and education—so parents are comfortable continuing these practices at home,” said Vicky Holman, RN, Director of Nursing, Labor and Delivery, NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. “Sleep-related deaths are preventable, and it is our goal to ensure all babies celebrate their first birthday and many thereafter.”

The National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program was created by Cribs for Kids®, a Pittsburgh-based organization dedicated to preventing infant sleep-related deaths due to accidental suffocation.

In addition, NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue was also recognized for following the safe sleep guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and providing training programs for parents, staff, and the community.

“Sleep-related death results in the loss of more than 3,500 infants every year in the U.S.,” said Michael H. Goodstein, MD, neonatologist and medical director of research at Cribs for Kids®. “We know that consistent education can have a profound effect on infant mortality, and this program is designed to encourage safe sleep education and to recognize those hospitals that are taking an active role in reducing these preventable deaths.”

In addition to NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue’s bronze certification, other New York City public hospitals that are Safe Sleep-certified by Cribs for Kids® are NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem and NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan (in Manhattan), NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx (in the Bronx), NYC Health + Hospitals/Coney Island and NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull (in Brooklyn), and NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst and NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens (in Queens).

For more information about Labor and Delivery services at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, visit /bellevue/labor-and-delivery/ or call 212-562-5555.