Brooksville, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health in Hernando County is pleased to announce Bayfront Health Spring Hill has been awarded a $20,000 grant to improve infant and maternal health through the Baby Steps to Baby Friendly Project. The hospital joins 56 Florida hospitals and birthing facilities from 31 counties with this designation.
“Bayfront Health has reaffirmed their commitment to the health of our youngest citizens by promoting policies that encourage health equity and decrease the infant mortality rate,” DOH-Hernando Nursing Director Virginia Crandall, MPH, RN shared.
“One of the most effective preventive measures a mother can take to protect the health of her infant is to breastfeed,” Crandall continued. “The Baby Steps to Baby Friendly Project encourages and recognizes hospitals such as Bayfront Health Spring Hill whose policies offer optimal promotion and support for breastfeeding.”
The grant will assist the hospital in facilitating the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, developed by the World Health Organization which standardizes information provided to patients through evidence-based, patient-centered care, improving health outcomes for mother and baby.
“Bayfront Health has delivered over 31,000 babies since opening the Baby Place!” Jennifer Siem, Bayfront Health spokesperson shared. “We invite the community to take a fresh look at our newly renovated facilities and see first-hand how our experience makes yours exceptional. The support of community partners like the Department of Health is key to our ability to continue to raise the bar on quality healthcare and support services for women and children in Hernando County.”
In Hernando County the infant mortality rate for 2013-2015 is 7 infant deaths per 1,000 live births; for the state of Florida, this rate is 6.1.
There were 32 infant deaths between 2013 and 2015 in Hernando County.