# Health IT to reduce disparities in risks for sleep-related infant deaths

> **NIH NIH R01** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $668,891

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
This proposal is in response to PAR19-093, and its aims are consistent with NIMHD and OBSSR priorities.
This research will examine how a unique health information technology (HIT) tool impacts patient and provider
outcomes when implemented in a pediatric primary care clinic serving a socioeconomically disadvantaged
population that is primarily Black/African American.
Aim 1. To test the impact of implementing a new EMR-based Infant Sleep Assessment (ISA) and brief
communication training on a) pediatric clinicians’ delivery of anticipatory guidance (both positive and
unintended negative consequences); and b) parents’ satisfaction with care, infant safe sleep knowledge,
beliefs, reported practices, and observed infant sleep environments.
Aim 2. To assess how implementing the new EMR-based ISA and brief communication training is perceived by
pediatric clinicians in terms of its advantages, disadvantages, and impact on their delivery of anticipatory
guidance.
 For Aim 1, a randomized controlled trial will compare outcomes between a Standard of Care (SOC) and an
ISA group. Each of 12 half-day clinic sessions will be randomly assigned to SOC or ISA. Clinicians (N=88) and
the parents of their newborn patients (N=188 per study group) will remain in their assigned group throughout
the study. The ISA group will complete the tool at their 2-month well-baby visit, and both groups will have this
visit audio recorded. Follow-up data will be collected by an in-home survey and observation when the infant is
3-4 months old. For Aim 2, a brief survey will be completed by the clinicians at the end of their study
participation. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, presentations and summary
briefs distributed through electronic media to the pediatric, injury prevention, public health, clinical informatics,
and health disparities communities.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10431776
- **Project number:** 5R01MD015818-02
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** EILEEN M MCDONALD
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $668,891
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-06-16 → 2026-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10431776

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10431776, Health IT to reduce disparities in risks for sleep-related infant deaths (5R01MD015818-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10431776. Licensed CC0.

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