NYC Health + Hospitals/Coney Island Is First Hospital in New York City to Receive “Gold” Safe Sleep Certification
Five NYC Health + Hospitals facilities are now certified under Cribs for Kids' National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program
Jul 27, 2017
NYC Health + Hospitals/Coney Island is the first hospital in New York City to receive “Gold” recognition—the highest award of Cribs for Kids®’ National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program—for its commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep, it was announced today. Only six hospitals citywide are recognized at any level through the program, five of which are part of the city’s public health system.
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 to being Cribs for Kids® partners, NYC Health + Hospitals/Coney Island was recognized for following the safe sleep guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, and providing training programs for parents, staff, and the community. Community outreach at the hospital includes pediatric health fairs, educational baby showers, Lamaze classes, and partnerships with local community organizations to provide newborn supplies and car seats to patients.
“Receiving the Gold designation is a testament to the hard work of our staff to ensure that even the littlest New Yorkers are living their healthiest life,” said Anthony Rajkumar, chief executive officer, NYC Health + Hospitals/Coney Island. “Teaching parents safe sleep best practices is part of our ongoing commitment to the community to provide better outcomes for our patients. We are proud to receive the city’s first Gold certification and encourage other hospitals to follow our lead in committing to infant safety.”
“I am proud to announce that new parents leaving NYC Health + Hospitals/Coney Island can feel confident that they have received quality advice regarding safe infant sleep practices,” said Senator Diane Savino. “Over 3,500 infants die each year due to sleep-related deaths; educating new parents is a critical tool in preventing such tragedies. NYC Health + Hospitals’ Gold designation in sleep certification exemplifies the dedication the staff has to even the newest members of this community.”
“Connecting with the community it serves is one of the most important roles that a hospital can fill,” said Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz. “NYC Health + Hospitals/Coney Island’s success in educating families about safe infant sleep practices has saved lives and increased the likelihood that residents will rely on this vital community resource in the future. I commend Coney Island Hospital for this important recognition.”
“Sleep-related deaths are far too common in our community and across the country, so programs like Crib for Kids’ National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program are vitally important in reducing accidental deaths and ensuring parents are educated on safe sleep practices,” said Assemblymember Pamela Harris. “By promoting community outreach and education, we can prevent more of these tragedies and ensure that all of our children here in Coney Island grow up happy and healthy.”
“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 New York City, sleep-related injuries remained one of the leading causes of death among infants, with 40 deaths in 2014 and 48 deaths in 2015 at a combined rate of 36.1 per 100,000 live births for 2014-2015.
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, 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.
The other New York City public health system facilities that are Safe Sleep-certified by Cribs for Kids® are NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst (Silver), NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem (Bronze), NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan (Bronze), and NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull (Bronze).