Safe Infant Sleeping: On-line program to support health professionals with their role in reducing infant mortality

Abstract

Background Queensland has consistently experienced one of the highest rates of sudden infant death in Australia. Studies have identified health professional knowledge and practice deficits, and that many caregivers employ infant care practices which increase the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI). Nurses and midwives are ideally placed to positively influence parental practice relating to Safe Sleeping (SS) recommendations known to reduce SUDI. Study Aims The aim was to design and evaluate an evidence-based sustainable resource to support health professionals to deliver SS messages in Queensland. Methods This paper will outline a) the process used to develop an electronic SS resource for health professionals including the pretest-posttest design that evaluated efficacy of the program in impacting nursing and midwifery knowledge and practices (n=393) in consenting nurses and midwives from acute and community settings working with families with infants; b) collaborations established in developing the resource; c) factors contributing to successful implementation. Results Comparison of paired responses (n=102 paired) for nurses/midwives who completed both pre and post-tests demonstrated that the intervention significantly improved documentation and practice (p=0.04); and achieved positive changes in knowledge of risk factors (p<0.05), parent advice relating to recommended infant sleep position (p=0.005) particularly for infants with reflux (p=0.003), and safe wrapping as a strategy to support supine sleep (p=0.02). New and existing collaborations and networks between the project team and SIDS and Kids, National Scientific Advisory Group, expert clinicians, Queensland Health and Skills Development Centre, were utilised in developing a safe infant sleeping resource suitable for state-wide implementation in a variety of clinical and community settings. Recommendations for practice A collaborative approach involving consistent information and resource sharing between all key stakeholder groups, supported at a national level, will facilitate sustained use of an evidence-based e-learning resource to deliver Safe Sleeping recommendations to health professionals.