CRMC Achieves Another Year As A Silver Safe Sleep For Infants Hospital

Cookeville Regional Medical Center celebrates another year as a silver status Safe Sleep for Infants hospital.

Director of Women’s Services Rebecca Kojak said the certification means that the CRMC is a designated place that practices safe sleep principles and can give parents information on the topic.

“Through education to staff and providers, education to the public, and outreach to the community,” Kojak said.  “As well as auditing our compliance with demonstrating those principles to families.”

Kojak said that sleep-related incidents are one of the main causes of death in children under two years old.  She said that the hospital recommends children sleep alone, flat on their backs, in a crib or safe area without many blankets or stuffed animals.

Kojak said that the hospital understands that parents will have their own preferences for these kinds of situations. She said that their job is to educate and provide as much information as possible to parents and families as a whole, especially when it comes to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

“We want to educate them on the best way to keep their babies safe when they get home,” Kojak said. “I think the thing parents really need to understand is following these principles reduces your risk of SIDS, and anything we can do to keep babies safe, parents want to know about.”

Kojak said that in addition to parents, it’s important to have family members and other caretakers made aware of these standards as well. She said that when it comes to grandparents, siblings, and babysitters, everyone should follow safe sleep principles.