First Advisor

Carol Wallman

College

Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

School

Regis University

Division

Nursing

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Number of Pages

63 pages

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), which includes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), is one of the leading causes of infant deaths in the United States and a significant health issue. Although there has not been a distinct single cause found for SIDS, it has been determined that there are several risk factors identified that increase the risk of an infant dying from SIDS. Infant Safe Sleep Education as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics is essential for healthcare professionals to educate new families on infant safe sleep.

Objective: The objective of this project was to create and evaluate a Quality Improvement Initiative that would improve the knowledge and implementation of infant safe sleep practices and role modeling in the hospital setting both before and after an educational initiative.

Methods: A QI initiative with a pre- and post- test analysis was conducted utilizing a convenience sample of newborn infants and staff. A crib audit tool was implemented on an inpatient Womens’ and Infant Floor as well as a knowledge-based survey for nursing staff. The data was analyzed with inferential and descriptive statistics to determine statistical significance.

Results: There were forty-nine cribs included in the pre-crib audit and forty-two post initiative. Thirty-two nursing staff completed the surveys. The crib audit aggregate data scores show an improvement overall from 51.7% to 67.5% following the education and the nurse knowledge aggregate data scores improved from 71.05% to 95.24% post education. This showed statistically significant improvement on both crib audit and survey with a p score < 0.001.

Conclusions: Statistically significant improvements were made in both the safe sleep environment and nursing knowledge after the introduction of an educational initiative.

Keywords: SIDS, Safe Sleep, Nurse, Hospital, Initiative, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Infant Education, Intervention

Date of Award

Spring 2023

Location (Creation)

Colorado (state); Denver (county); Denver (inhabited place)

Rights Statement

All content in this Collection is owned by and subject to the exclusive control of Regis University and the authors of the materials. It is available only for research purposes and may not be used in violation of copyright laws or for unlawful purposes. The materials may not be downloaded in whole or in part without permission of the copyright holder or as otherwise authorized in the “fair use” standards of the U.S. copyright laws and regulations.

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