Citation

Kuhlmann ZC, Ahlers-Schmidt CR, Kuhlmann S, Schunn C, Rosell J. Obstet. Gynecol. 2014; 123(Suppl 1): 115S.

Affiliation

The University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/01.AOG.0000447064.40330.15

PMID

24769953

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Current recommendations to prevent sleep-related death include that infants be placed on their back in a crib with a firm mattress and fitted sheet. Bumpers, pillows, loose blankets, stuffed toys, and other suffocation hazards are not recommended. However, sleep-related infant deaths continue to occur. As part of a university, physician, and nonprofit collaboration, a Safe Sleep Toolkit was developed to improve consistency in safe sleep communication.

METHODS: The toolkit was implemented at two resident physician clinics, obstetric and pediatric, and included: 1) parent checklist regarding sleep position, location, environment, and intentions to share information; 2) a brief health care provider script; and 3) nationally available resources. Approval was received from two local institutional review boards.

RESULTS: Checklists were completed by 309 parents, 64% at the pediatric and 36% at the obstetric clinic. The majority were female (83%) with a high school diploma or less (66%). Nearly half (48%) were white. Most parents reported appropriate sleep location (88%) and position (79%); however, only 37% reported no inappropriate items in the sleep environment. Health care providers engaged in discussion regarding safe sleep with most parents.

CONCLUSIONS: Most parents were aware of and implementing the American Association of Pediatrics' recommendations for safe sleep location and position. However, more than 60% reported at least one item in the crib that would increase the infant's risk of accidental asphyxiation. Although this assessment has limitations in process and scope, our toolkit may assist in identifying gaps in parent knowledge and practice and may be useful in prompting health care provider communication regarding safe sleep.

Language: en