Infant Safe Sleep Promotion: Increasing Capacity of Child Protective Services Employees.

Sleep-related infant deaths, including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), are the number one cause of death in infants between 28 days and one year of life. Nearly half of families experiencing a sleep-related infant death in Kansas were involved with the Department of Children and Families Child Protective Services (CPS), making CPS staff a priority for safe sleep training. This study assessed the impact of the two-day Kansas Infant Death and SIDS (KIDS) Network Safe Sleep Instructor (SSI) train-the-trainer program on CPS staffs' knowledge of the American Academy of Pediatrics safe sleep recommendations. Training was attended by 43 participants, 27 (63%) of whom were employed by CPS. CPS staff had significantly lower baseline knowledge on the 10-item pretest (t = 3.33, p = 0.002), but both CPS and other attendees showed significant improvement by posttest (t = 8.53, p < 0.001 and t = 4.44, p < 0.001, respectively). Following SSI certification, CPS SSIs provided more safe sleep training to professionals than other SSIs (1051 vs. 165, respectively), and both groups of SSIs were able to significantly increase the knowledge of their trainees. Overall, the KIDS Network SSI training was successful. The innovative partnership with CPS allowed for provision of training to a group not historically targeted for safe sleep education.

Concerns of women regarding pregnancy and childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: Better understand knowledge, attitudes and practices of pregnant women and mothers of infants around coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: A 58-item electronic survey was distributed to pregnant and postpartum women (infants <12 months) who were >15 years, English-speaking and enrolled in prenatal programs. Data is summarized using central tendency, frequencies and nonparametric statistics. RESULTS: Of 114 (51 % response rate) participants, 82.5 % reported negative changes in mental status measures (e.g. stress, anxious thoughts, changes in sleep patterns). All reported risk-reduction behavior changes (e.g. handwashing/use of sanitizer, social distancing). Significant changes were reported in employment and financial status due to the pandemic. Increases in alcohol consumption among postpartum women were also reported. Few reported changes in prenatal, infant or postpartum healthcare access. CONCLUSION: This study provides initial insight into the knowledge, attitudes and practices of pregnant and postpartum women during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study is limited as participants represent a single Midwest community and social desirability response bias may have impacted responses. However, results may inform future interventions to support pregnant women and mothers of infants during pandemics. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Providers should consider the impact of such events on mental status, access to resources and changes in behaviors.

Implementation of a Statewide Program to Promote Safe Sleep, Breastfeeding and Tobacco Cessation to High Risk Pregnant Women.

Infant mortality remains a problem in the United States with sleep-related deaths accounting for a significant portion. Known risk reduction strategies include breastfeeding, avoiding tobacco use and following the American Academy of Pediatrics' safe sleep guidelines. The purpose of this project was to evaluate outcomes of Safe Sleep Instructor-led community baby showers, which included safe sleep promotion, breastfeeding promotion and tobacco cessation education. Certified Safe Sleep Instructors (n = 35) were trained on how to plan and host a Community Baby Shower to provide education to pregnant women of low socioeconomic status or with high risk of infant mortality. Eighteen Community Baby Showers were held across two urban and eight rural counties in Kansas. Surveys were administered pre- and post-event to assess participant knowledge, confidence and intentions to follow through with planned action related to safe sleep, breastfeeding and reducing tobacco risk. Matched data were summarized and evaluated for differences using McNemar's and Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests. Significant increases were observed in Baby Shower participants' (n = 845) reported plans to follow the AAP Safe Sleep guidelines (all p < 0.001), likelihood to breastfeed (p < 0.001), confidence in ability to breastfeed for more than 6 months (p < 0.001), knowledge of local breastfeeding support resources (p < 0.001), knowledge of ways to avoid second-hand smoke exposure (p < 0.001) and knowledge of local tobacco cessation services (p = 0.004). Based on the result of the pre- and post-event surveys, certified Safe Sleep Instructors were able to plan and host successful events to increase knowledge and confidence related to risk reduction strategies to reduce sleep-related infant deaths.

Qualitative Assessment of Pregnant Women's Perceptions of Infant Sleep Boxes.

Although several states have implemented programs providing boxes for infant sleep, safe sleep experts express concern regarding the paucity of safety and efficacy research on boxes. The purpose of this study was to assess pregnant women's perceptions regarding use of baby sleep boxes. A convenience sample was recruited from a community prenatal education program. Twenty-eight women were administered a brief semistructured interview about their knowledge of baby sleep boxes, opinions about the boxes, and questions they would have. For most (n = 15, 54%), this was their first pregnancy. Participants self-identified as white (43%), black (36%), Hispanic (18%), and "other" (4%). Ten subthemes emerged related to previous knowledge of boxes (useful for families in need, historic precedent in other countries), positive attributes (portable, compact, affordable, decorative), and negative attributes (low to ground, structural integrity/design, stability, stigma). Research on safety and efficacy could reduce concerns, but issues of stigma may persist.

Developing a state-wide infrastructure for safe sleep promotion.

OBJECTIVES: Sleep-related deaths are the third leading cause of infant death in Kansas. This manuscript describes implementation of an infrastructure of regional trainers to educate on the American Academy of Pediatrics safe sleep recommendations. DESIGN: Prospective evaluation of training program on knowledge transfer. SETTING: Instructors were recruited from throughout the state of Kansas and trained to provide safe sleep education in their communities. PARTICIPANTS: Instructors were a mix of healthcare workers and community members. Their trainees encompassed both professionals and caregivers. INTERVENTION: Instructors attended a 2-day training, including completing 18-item pre and post-training knowledge tests, a training evaluation survey, and performing a portion of the structured safe sleep presentation and crib demonstration for feedback. MEASUREMENT: Instructors were evaluated before and after training. After conducting trainings in their region, instructors submitted trainees' pre and post-test results. Scores were compared using t-test. RESULTS: Twenty-three instructors were trained. Scores averaged 13.5 (SD=2.4) for the pre-test and 15.3 (SD=2.4) for the post-test. Those scoring <80% post-training (n=6) received additional instruction. In the subsequent year, 13 trainers provided safe sleep education at 21 events to a total of 378 trainees. Trainee scores averaged 11.4 (SD=2.7) on the pre-test and increased to 13.9 (SD=2.5) on the post-test (P<.001). Findings were consistent when adjusting for variation between individual trainers. CONCLUSIONS: Safe sleep instructors can be trained to disseminate safe sleep guidelines; however, only half provided at least 1 training within 1 year. Future recommendations include over-recruiting potential instructors, incorporating trainings into existing positions or otherwise incentivizing trainers.

Interventions to Improve Safe Sleep Among Hospitalized Infants at Eight Children's Hospitals.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Within hospital pediatric units, there is a lack of consistent application or modeling of the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for safe infant sleep. The purpose of this study was to improve safe sleep practices for infants in nonneonatal pediatric units with implementation of specific interventions. METHODS: This multi-institutional study was conducted by using baseline observations collected for sleep location, position, and environment (collectively, "safe sleep") of infants admitted to pediatric units. Interventions consisted of: (1) staff education, including a commitment to promote safe sleep; (2) implementing site-generated safe sleep policies; (3) designating supply storage in patient rooms; and/or (4) caregiver education. Postintervention observations of safe sleep were collected. Eight hospitals participated from the Inpatient FOCUS Group of the Children's Hospital Association. Each site received institutional review board approval/exemption. RESULTS: Safe sleep was observed for 4.9% of 264 infants at baseline and 31.2% of 234 infants postintervention (P<.001). Extra blankets, the most common of unsafe items, were present in 77% of cribs at baseline and 44% postintervention. However, the mean number of unsafe items observed in each sleeping environment was reduced by >50% (P=.001). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of site-specific interventions seems to improve overall safe sleep in inpatient pediatric units, although continued improvement is needed. Specifically, extra items are persistently left in the sleeping environment. Moving forward, hospitals should evaluate their compliance with American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations and embrace initiatives to improve modeling of safe sleep.

Collaborating with obstetrical providers to promote infant safe sleep guidelines.

OBJECTIVES: To partner with obstetrical providers to increase promotion of the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for infant safe sleep. Specifically, this study evaluates the effectiveness of the Safe Sleep Toolkit during obstetrical visits. Secondary objectives include improving provider and maternal knowledge of safe sleep. METHODS: Obstetrical providers (n=11) and staff at an outpatient clinic were trained using the Safe Sleep Toolkit and encouraged to discuss infant safe sleep with pregnant women at their 28- or 36-week gestation appointment (n=111, 56 pre- and 55 post-intervention). Provider-reported time spent counseling women on safe sleep recommendations and safe sleep knowledge was measured before and after the intervention. Surveys were conducted with women assessing safe sleep knowledge, intention to follow guidelines, and whether safe sleep was discussed at the appointment. RESULTS: Significantly more post-intervention women reported their provider had discussed safe sleep (78% vs 32%) (P<.001). Similarly, provider-reported discussion with women increased significantly for all safe sleep guidelines (82%-90% vs 8%-12%) (all P<.001). Maternal knowledge, especially surrounding unsafe sleep practices, improved significantly post-intervention. CONCLUSION: Training obstetricians to use a toolkit to promote infant safe sleep guidelines increases the prenatal delivery of this information, and improves pregnant women's knowledge and intentions regarding safe infant sleep.

TXT@WORK: pediatric hospitalists and text messaging.

BACKGROUND: Many studies assess provider-patient communication through text messaging; however, minimal research has addressed communication among physicians. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of text messaging by pediatric hospitalists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A brief, anonymous, electronic survey was distributed through the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Hospital Medicine Listserv in February 2012. Survey questions assessed work-related text messaging. RESULTS: Of the 106 pediatric hospitalist respondents, 97 met inclusion criteria. Most were female (73%) and had been in practice <10 years (67%). Ninety-one percent of responders used a smartphone. More than half sent (60%) and received (61%) work-related text messages, some (12%) more than 10 times per shift. More than half (53%) received work-related text messages when not at work. When asked to identify all potential work recipients, most often sent work-related text messages to other pediatric hospitalists (64%), fellows or resident physicians (37%), and subspecialists/consulting physicians (28%). When asked their preferred mode for brief communication, respondents' preferences varied. Many (46%) respondents worried privacy laws can be violated by sending/receiving text messages, and some (30%) reported having received protected health information (PHI) through text messages. However, only 11% reported their institution offered encryption software for text messaging. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians were using text messaging as a means of brief, work-related communication. Concerns arose regarding transfer of PHI using unsecure systems and work-life balance. Future research should examine accuracy and effectiveness of text message communication in the hospital, as well as patient privacy issues.

A quality improvement project to improve compliance with the joint commission children's asthma care-3 measure.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Since the initiation of the Children's Asthma Care (CAC) core measures in 2008, hospitals have struggled to achieve a high rate of compliance with the CAC-3 measure of the Home Management Plan of Care (HMPC). At inception of this project in 2009, the national average was 65% compliance, which has now increased to 80%. These rates are below the Hospital Corporation of America's goal of 90% compliance. Our objective was to identify potential pitfalls that interfere with compliance on CAC-3 at our institution and to devise solutions to increase compliance to >90%. METHODS: Inpatient pediatric patients at a community teaching hospital in a predominantly rural state were included in our interrupted time-series quality improvement project from 2008 to 2011. Patients were between 2 and 17 years of age with an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9), primary diagnosis code of asthma at time of discharge. We identified potential stumbling blocks that interfered with compliance of CAC measures and then implemented repeated Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles to improve processes, including redesign of the HMPC form, education, and electronic documentation tied to the discharge medication reconciliation form, which is also required by The Joint Commission. RESULTS: We started with an average quarterly compliance of 43% with CAC-3 before our PDSA cycles. We have improved our compliance after the 2 PDSA cycles to an average of 97%. CONCLUSIONS: By linking the HMPC form to the discharge medication reconciliation form, we were able to achieve and maintain >90% compliance with CAC-3.