ERIE, Pa., Jan. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Ion Health, Pennsylvania’s newest Medicaid Health plan, today announced the introduction of “Sleep Safe,” an innovative education program aimed at expectant mothers. Women who successfully complete the “Sleep Safe” pre-natal education program will be given a crib and baby monitor at no cost, to help them better ensure their newborn’s safety.
“Sleep Safe” is the latest community outreach from Ion Health. Ion Health has also sponsored beneficial programs such as providing immunization shots for school children, its “Taking Strides” walking initiative, and its Parade Street center in Erie. All are consistent with Ion Health’s stated mission of helping Medicaid-eligible men, women and children access high-quality healthcare.
“Ion Health is performing a marvelous service, by providing a comprehensive education program for expectant mothers,” said Dr. B.R. Chekka, an Erie pediatrician. “Sleep Safe gives these women the information they need to help their newborn children at a critical time in their lives. In addition, Ion Health has clearly gone the extra step by giving them a new crib and baby monitor once they have successfully completed the program. I believe this takes the concept of community commitment to another level.”
The “Sleep Safe” program focuses on specific ways that the parents of newborn infants can help ensure their safety. In a series of pre-natal educational classes, expectant mothers are taught to:
-- Put their newborn on their back when sleeping, to help reduce the chance of accidental suffocation; -- Make sure that the crib has a mattress that fits snugly, and does not have fluffy pillows in it; -- Always place a sleeping infant in a secure place; for instance, a newborn should not sleep with an older child or adult, who might roll on top of the baby and injure them; -- Keep sleeping areas clean; sheets and blankets should be washed regularly; and -- Regard the crib as a “safe space,” where a cranky infant can be gently placed, helping to prevent unintentional child abuse.
Expectant mothers who complete the “Sleep Safe” training program will receive a new Graco(R) 3-in-1 Aspen Convertible Sleep System, which converts from a traditional crib to a toddler bed and then to a full-size bed, ensuring that the child will have his or her own sleeping space as they grow.
“The impact of preventive health care programs like Sleep Safe is incredible,” said Renee Miskimmin, M.D., Ion Health’s Medical Director. “Numerous studies have proven that we can significantly reduce the number of medical problems by working with people in advance to help them take the steps to keep them and their family members well.”
The Sleep Safe educational program is offered to expectant mothers who are enrolled members of the Ion Health plan. More information is available by calling Ion Health at 888.ION-4-YOU (1.888.466.4968).
Ion Health Holdings, Inc.
CONTACT: Art McCartan of Ion Health, +1-814-874-3098,amccartan@ionhealth-pa.com, or Steve Friedberg of MMI Communications,+1-610-518-7474, steve@mmicommunications.net, for Ion Health Holdings