Mary Washington and Stafford Hospitals Receive Safe Sleep Certification

Fredericksburg, VA, (June 27, 2024) – Mary Washington Healthcare (MWHC) is pleased to announce Mary Washington Hospital (MWH) and Stafford Hospital (SH) being recognized by the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program as Safe Sleep Leaders for their commitment to best practices and education on infant sleep.

The National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program was created by Cribs for Kids®, a national infant safe sleep organization. As National Certified Safe Sleep Hospitals, both MWH and SH are recognized for following the safe sleep guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and providing training programs for healthcare team members, and safe sleep education to family and caregivers.

“Sleep-Related Death (SRD) results in the loss of more than 3,500 infants every year in the U.S.,” said Michael H. Goodstein, M.D., neonatologist, and medical director of research at Cribs for Kids®. “We know that modeling safe infant sleep in the hospital and providing education to families has a significant effect on infant mortality. Cribs for Kids Hospital Certification Program is designed to recognize those hospitals that are taking an active role in reducing these preventable injuries and deaths.”

“Being safe sleep certified is of the upmost importance in making sure your precious little ones are safe, and we are proud to receive this honor,” says Ann Weed, Interim Director of Women’s Services, Women’s and Children’s Care Center, Mary Washington Healthcare. “We are dedicated to educating new parents about the importance of safe sleep habits as it is one of the best ways to keep your baby healthy in their first year.”

While Mary Washington Hospital has been a safe sleep leader since 2019, this is Stafford Hospital’s first year being recognized. “We are proud to join the national effort to reduce infant mortality,” says Terri Lamprinakos, Nurse Manager of Labor, Delivery, Recovery, Postpartum, and Level II NICU at Stafford Hospital. “The Cribs for Kids® National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification is an important step in our efforts to provide parents and caregivers with the evidence-based information they need to ensure their babies sleep safely from day one.”

To learn more about ways to keep your infant safe during sleep, or to receive assistance obtaining a crib for your infant, visit SafeSleep.mwhc.com. For more information about Cribs for Kids® National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program, click here.

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About Mary Washington Healthcare

Mary Washington Healthcare is a fully integrated, regional healthcare system that provides inpatient and outpatient care at over 60 facilities including Mary Washington Hospital, a 471-bed tertiary hospital, Stafford Hospital, a 100-bed community hospital, four emergency departments, and a multi-specialty graduate medical education program. Mary Washington Healthcare is a non-profit health system with a longstanding commitment to provide care regardless of ability to pay. For more information about our services and facilities, visit mwhc.com.