Last year over 5,000 babies were delivered at Flushing and Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. The safety of each infant is a very high priority for both hospitals. When these babies are under our care, we take many precautions to ensure they are in a safe sleep environment.
However, our dedication to their well-being extends well beyond their stay. MediSys Health Network’s commitment to infants’ safety continues after they leave as we educate parents about the importance of providing a safe sleep environment for babies.
Each year, sleep-related injuries result in the death of approximately 3,500 babies in the United States and are the leading cause of death for infants in New York City. As part of our ongoing effort to reduce this occurrence, the MediSys Health Network recently joined a city-wide safe sleep campaign dubbed “Katz’s Cradles” in honor of Queens Borough President Melinda Katz to donate free portable cribs to families in need. The initiative was created to provide more households in Queens with a safe place for babies to sleep. The cribs are equipped with Safe Sleep Kits which include educational materials, a sleep sack and fitted sheets.
Jamaica and Flushing Hospital actively promote the importance of providing babies with safe sleep environments by offering newborn-care classes and support groups to families. Last year, Flushing Hospital was recognized as a National Bronze Certified Safe Sleep Hospital by Cribs for Kids. The certification program recognizes hospitals that demonstrate a commitment to reducing infant sleep-related deaths.
Jamaica and Flushing Hospital are proud to participate in programs that benefit their communities and offer helpful resources and Katz’s Cradles supports a cause that each institution highly values which is patient safety. “Our hospitals serve a very diverse population; we are sensitive to their needs and committed to providing resources that improve their overall wellness and health. Teaching families how to make certain their babies have a safe space to sleep not only empowers them but insures the well-being of parents and children, “stated Bruce J. Flanz; President and CEO of MediSys Health Network.