VERDE VALLEY, Ariz. – Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) is proud to announce that Verde Valley Medical Center (VVMC) has achieved certification as a Cribs for Kids® National Safe Sleep Hospital. This certification recognizes our health care team members’ commitment to best practices in infant safe sleep, ensuring the highest standards of care for our youngest patients. Cribs for Kids® is a national safe sleep initiative dedicated to reducing infant mortality. By earning this certification, VVMC demonstrates adherence to rigorous guidelines established by the Cribs for Kids® National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program.
“Sleep related deaths are the number one reason we lose our babies each year, 3,400 infants annually,” said Michael H. Goodstein, M.D., neonatologist and medical director at Cribs for Kids®. “We know that parents do at home what they see done in the hospital, so modeling safe sleep and providing education to families will have an impact on infant mortality. Cribs for Kids® program recognizes hospitals making this commitment,” Dr. Goodstein added.
“We are so proud of our team at VVMC who have worked diligently to meet the requirements to earn this certification and proves our dedication to providing safe sleep care for our babies,” said NAH Director of Women and Infant Services, Nicole Venuti. “Safe sleep education is one of the most effective ways we can protect our vulnerable neonatal population. By partnering with our families from the very beginning, we can prevent negative outcomes and support healthier futures for our community’s children,” Venuti added.
Judy Bannon, CEO, and founder of Cribs for Kids® states, “The National Infant Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program launched in 2015. It is rooted in the Safe Sleep Recommendations made by American Academy of Pediatrics and the research that demonstrates families do at home what they see done in the hospital. There are over 500 infant safe sleep certified hospitals across the country and beyond. We are proud to welcome VVMC to our program, it will have a profound effect on saving babies’ lives.”
As part of this ongoing commitment, NAH will be providing a free Safe Sleep Swaddle to every baby born at our hospitals over the next year, as Flagstaff Medical Center also achieved Safe Sleep Certification. These swaddles are designed to promote safe sleep habits and give families a practical, comforting tool to use at home. This initiative demonstrates NAH’s belief that every parent should have access to resources that make it easier to follow safe sleep recommendations.
For more information about Cribs for Kids® National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program, visit, www.cribsforkids.org/hospitalcertification
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About Northern Arizona Healthcare
Northern Arizona Healthcare is the largest health care organization in a region that encompasses more than 50,000 square miles. As a nonprofit health care system, our organization is governed by a volunteer board of directors. Our team of more than 4,000 doctors, nurses and other experts works together to keep you and your family healthy.
Serving more than 700,000 people in communities across the region, we provide comprehensive health care services through two hospitals – Flagstaff Medical Center and Verde Valley Medical Center – as well as through primary care and specialty physician clinics, outpatient surgical centers, Cardiovascular Institute, Cancer Centers of Northern Arizona Healthcare, EntireCare Rehab & Sports Medicine, Children’s Health Center, Orthopedic & Spine Institute, Guardian Air and Guardian Medical Transport.
For more information on NAH programs and services, visit NAHealth.com. “Like” NAH on Facebook by searching Northern Arizona Healthcare Flagstaff and Northern Arizona Healthcare Verde Valley. Follow NAH on Instagram by searching Northern Arizona Healthcare.