SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – Regional West was recently recognized for its commitment to infant safety as the Regional West’s Birth and Infant Care Center was named a Safe Sleep Hospital Champion.

“We are pleased to be designated as a hospital champion for safe sleep and honored to be the third hospital in Nebraska to receive this designation. It is important that we provide education to our patients and their family members about safe sleep and model safe sleep practices,” said Erika Carmody, MSN, RN, director of the Birth and Infant Care Center and Pediatrics.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends Safe Sleep practices at home to protect newborns from SIDS and sleep related infant deaths. Recommendations include: placing the baby to sleep on their back, avoid using soft blankets, and use a sleep sack in place of blankets. To encourage safe sleeping practices following dismissal from the hospital, the Birth and Infant Care Center also provides a sleep sack recommended for safe sleeping to parents of newborns.

The Safe Sleep Champion award was presented by Jackie Moline, Maternal Infant Health Program Coordinator for the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services.

“We’re proud to receive this award because it recognizes the care our staff provides the families we are honored to serve,” said Kathy Campbell, MSN, MPA, RN, Chief Nursing Officer.

Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff, Neb., is the parent company of Regional West Medical Center, a 188-bed regional referral center and one of three Level II Trauma Centers in the state. As the region’s only tertiary referral medical center, Regional West offers care that spans more than 32 medical specialties provided by over 28 physician clinics. With nearly 300 providers, and over 2,000 employees, Regional West provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming.