Evaluation of a Crib Distribution and Safe Sleep Educational Program to Reduce Risk of Sleep-Related Infant Death.

To increase access to safe infant sleep surfaces and reduce risk of sleep-related infant deaths, the Georgia Department of Public Health implemented a portable crib distribution and safe sleep educational program. The aim of this evaluation was to compare parental knowledge and practices related to infant sleep before and after receipt of the safe sleep educational program and crib. A prospective, matched pre- and post-test cohort design with a follow-up survey was utilized to evaluate changes in knowledge and practices.

Implementing a Statewide Safe to Sleep Hospital Initiative: Lessons Learned.

Sleep-related infant deaths continue to be a major, largely preventable cause of infant mortality, especially in Georgia. The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), as part of a multi-pronged safe infant sleep campaign, implemented a hospital initiative to (1) provide accurate safe infant sleep information to hospital personnel; (2) support hospitals in implementing and modeling safe sleep practices; and (3) provide guidance on addressing caregiver safe sleep concerns. A process evaluation was conducted to determine progress toward four goals set out by DPH: (1) all birthing hospitals have a safe infant sleep policy; (2) all safe infant sleep policies reference the AAP 2011 recommendations; (3) all safe infant sleep policies specify the type and/or content of patient safe sleep education; and (4) all hospitals require regular staff training on safe sleep recommendations.