By Susan Grace, MD
Pediatric Hospitalist, Pediatric Hospitalists of Northwest Ohio
There has been a recent increase in cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in our region. SIDS is the leading cause of death for children under the age of one. These losses are heartbreaking for the families and for communities. While not every infant death has a preventable cause, the majority of them are associated with risk factors, including unsafe sleep. As parents, there are things that can be done to decrease the risk of SIDS.
An infant should always sleep alone, on their back, in a crib. It can be so tempting to snuggle our infants in bed while we sleep or to fall asleep on the couch with the infant on our chest. This is a recipe for disaster. As a pediatrician for over ten years, I have seen these scenarios turn into infant deaths many times. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends room-sharing but never bed-sharing. The crib should be free of any pillows, bumpers, stuffed animals, or loose bedding. These items may make the crib appear more appealing, but they are unnecessary for the baby and can be a means of suffocation.
The Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) Board of Trustees and the Blanchard Valley Health Foundation have announced several recent changes to its members and officers.
The BVHS Board has appointed Thomas Lause, Kay Chester and Christian Steiner, MD, as its newest trustees.
EasternWoods Outpatient Center, a division of Blanchard Valley Health System, has acquired a new Siemens Sola 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner.
Rehabilitation patients at the Bluffton Hospital swing bed unit will get a better chance to practice their household living skills with the arrival of several new appliances. This is expected not only to help their caregivers in discharge planning, but also to help patients themselves gain confidence.
