By Kelly Atlee

FAIRBANKS– Through generous donations made to the Greater Fairbanks Community Hospital Foundation, Fairbanks Memorial Hospital purchased a Cuddle Cot. This special bassinet is equipped with a cooling device designed to preserve an infant’s body after a stillbirth or other infant loss.  This allows parents more time with their child in the hospital, before saying a final goodbye.

In March 2017, Mick and Molly Ragsdale contacted the Foundation, anticipating the birth of a child that would not survive. The Ragsdales had learned about the Cuddle Cot and presented the idea to the Foundation. Recognizing that the cuddle cot could benefit other families dealing with loss, the Ragsdales made a memorial donation to the Foundation’s perinatal and bereavement fund in their son’s name, Neil. This contribution began the fundraising efforts to purchase the Cuddle Cot.

The Women & Infant Services department (WIS) learned of the fundraising efforts and raised money with an annual bake sale to benefit the cause. Kristy Terzi, RNC-OB, BSN, a clinical educator of WIS, and the late Breanna Klann, RN, were inspired by the Ragsdale family. Breanna Klann was a young, dynamic nurse growing in her experiences as a women’s health nurse and taking on the challenges of a leadership role. She was passionate about providing the best care to all patients, and worked tirelessly to mentor new staff and lead her team. Following Klann’s unexpected death in January, 2018, her husband continued her fundraising efforts for the Cuddle Cot.

“Although a rapidly growing practice, the use of Cuddle Cots in the U.S. is still a fairly new practice,” said Annie Perez, Nurse Director of Women & Infant Services. “The Fairbanks community is among the forerunners in acknowledging the impact perinatal loss has on the immediate and extended family, and the benefit of beginning the grieving process in a caring, peaceful setting.”

The Cuddle Cot, a product developed in the United Kingdom and brought to the United States in 2013, preserves a baby’s body in a bassinet or crib with an innovative cooling system, allowing a family to spend additional time with their child. Without the use of a Cuddle Cot, families have a very limited amount of time to say goodbye.

“The Cuddle Cot is confirmation of the hospital’s commitment of people first, community focus, and excellence every time,” Perez said. “The Cuddle Cot uniquely improves outcomes, not through heroic actions, but through giving families the opportunity to say goodbye.”

WIS staff is in the process of training to use the Cuddle Cot. Following WIS departmental training, the Emergency and Pediatric departments at FMH will also train on the system. The Cuddle Cot can cradle an infant up to the size of a 12 month old.

Foundation Health Partners (FHP) is a nonprofit, community owned health care system that operates Tanana Valley Clinic, Fairbanks Memorial Hospital and long term care facility, Denali Center.