Dissertation
Reinforcing Infant Safe Sleep Practices in the Hospital Setting
University of Iowa
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), University of Iowa
Spring 2025
Abstract
Background: One of the leading causes of infant deaths is sleep-related, with approximately 3,500 infants dying suddenly or unexpectedly while sleeping every year (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2023; Behnam-Terneus & Clemente, 2019). Bed-sharing has drastically increased, and can lead to sleep-related infant deaths (Moon et al., 2022). Room-sharing has been shown to decrease this risk by 50% (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2023). Healthcare workers can support and advise parents of safe sleep recommendations to promote infant safety (Moon et al., 2022). Consistent modeling of safe sleep practices encourages parental adoption.Purpose: This project aimed to increase the safety and security of infant safe sleep based on the AAP recommendations through education, guidance, support, and resources. The project s objectives were to increase the compliance for representing the safe sleep environment, increase the knowledge of safe sleep guidelines, compliance, resources and confidence, and provide training of the AAP safe sleep recommendations, unit protocols, and admission guidelines to healthcare staff.Methods: The John s Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice model was utilized as the guiding framework for this project. Evidence-based education, safeguards, tools, and resources to ensure safe sleep were developed. A pre- and post-intervention needs assessment was conducted and analyzed. An educational session enhanced healthcare staff knowledge and confidence in safe sleep. Data on parental knowledge, confidence, support, and compliance to safe sleep was collected and analyzed. A pre- and post-education questionnaire was provided to healthcare staff to evaluate knowledge. Findings: Safe sleep representation identified improvement following education (36% to 65.2%), however further improvements must be made. Parental discharge surveys reflected improved knowledge, confidence, resources, and compliance in safe sleep throughout hospitalization. Safe sleep education was successful in checking-off 97% of healthcare staff. There was low responsiveness in the pre- and post-education questionnaire, however a 12% increase in knowledge was shown. Discussion: The findings identified increased staff knowledge of safe sleep guidelines, improved parental satisfaction with safe sleep protocols, and improved infant safety and security with the safe sleep guidelines in place.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Reinforcing Infant Safe Sleep Practices in the Hospital Setting
- Creators
- Kaily Skoog - University of Iowa
- Contributors
- Jodi Bloxham (Chair) - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Project Type
- Poster
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (Acute Care)
- Date degree season
- Spring 2025
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- 1 page
- Copyright
- Copyright 2025 Kaily Skoog
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Nursing; Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects
- Record Identifier
- 9984841526802771
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