WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital has been recognized as a Gold Level Safe Sleep facility for its commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep.  

As a nationally certified Safe Sleep Hospital, the hospital was recognized for following the safe sleep guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and for providing training programs for healthcare team members and family caregivers.  

"Sleep-related death results in the loss of more than 3,500 infants every year in the U.S.," said Dr. Michael H. Goodstein,  neonatologist at WellSpan York Hospital and medical director of research at Cribs for Kids. "We know that modeling safe infant sleep in the hospital and providing education to families have a significant effect on infant mortality."  

Certified hospitals have trained maternity staff to provide patient education. After teaching parents about the importance of the ABC's of safe sleep, not smoking, using a firm flat mattress, breastfeeding, and other safe sleep practices, the staff asks new moms to sign a "safe sleep pledge."

To help families follow safe sleep practices at home, hospital staff also give all new babies a sleeping sack rather than a blanket, and donate a portable crib to parents who do not have a crib at their home.  

The National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program was created by Cribs for Kids in partnership with leading infant health and safety organizations. All WellSpan hospitals are now certified Gold Level Safe Sleep facilities.