Abstract
Background: Nationally, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death among babies 1 to 12 months of age, and many of these deaths are a result of sleep-related accidental suffocation while in an unsafe sleeping environment.
Local Problem: Baseline data from a chart audit at a rural clinic showed that only 80% of parents were placing infants on their backs for sleep, and there was no standardization among providers for teaching safe sleep practices. The aim of this project was to implement right care for SIDS prevention at newborn wellness visits 80% of the time within 90 days.
Methods: This rapid-cycle quality improvement project used four plan-do-study-act cycles that included tests of change related to team engagement, screening, intervention and referral to treat. Data were analyzed using run charts to evaluate the impact of interventions on outcomes.
Interventions: Weekly staff meetings were held for team engagement, a safe sleep checklist for screening for SIDS, a shared decision making tool was utilized for patient engagement, and a follow-up phone log for referral to treat.
Results: Achieving right care for SIDS prevention was met at 90% over 90-days. The checklist, referral to treat log book, and shared decision making tool were implemented at 100% by the end of the project. Staff were engaged through team meetings with improved Likert scores.
Conclusions: Provider and staff education was significant to the success of this project. Newborns were properly screened for SIDS risk. The project can be replicated in other clinical settings.
Keywords: SIDS, SUID, sudden infant death, cot death, sleep safety, pacifier
Recommended Citation
Carpenter, C. (2020). A Patient-Centered Right Care Approach to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Prevention in a Rural Clinic. Journal of Interprofessional Practice and Collaboration, 2(1). Retrieved from https://repository.ulm.edu/ojihp/vol2/iss1/6
