Integration of safe sleep and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) education among parents of preterm infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

PurposeThe aims of this quality improvement initiative were to increase parental knowledge of safe sleep recommendations and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) prevention and assess parental compliance with safe sleep recommendations for preterm infants discharged from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).MethodsParents received an educational session and a safe sleep handout. Pre-test, post-test, and one-month follow-up questionnaires were completed by parents. Scores were recorded before and after the educational session and one month after hospital discharge.ResultsSafe sleep educational sessions before hospital discharge resulted in higher post-test scores compared with pre-test scores and a high percentage of compliance to safe sleep practices at home.ConclusionThe educational session and safe sleep handout increased parental knowledge of safe sleep recommendations and SIDS prevention and resulted in significant compliance to safe sleep practices at home.