Background Information
South Carolina Code of Laws, Section 44-37-50 requires hospitals and Department of Social Services (DSS) adoption services to provide education to parents and caregivers of newborns about the dangers of shaking a baby and the importance of parents and caregivers learning infant CPR. The statute requires the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) to approve all videos to be used and to establish an educational protocol. The statute also requires hospitals to obtain a parent's signature on a DHEC-prescribed form verifying that they have been given the opportunity to view the video. (Please find the videos and forms below).
DHEC provides an educational video free of charge for use by SC hospitals and DSS on the dangers of shaking an infant. If facilities choose to use a video other than the DHEC-produced video, they must seek approval from DHEC to ensure the consistency of the messaging (see link below).
DHEC Video: "Abusive Head Trauma"
YouTube Links
Download Videos in MP4 Format
These videos are also available in DVD format - please send requests to ShakenBabySyndrome@dhec.sc.gov.
New! Shaken Baby Syndrome Education Verification Statement Forms
Additional Information
- Process for Hospital Use of Alternative Video
- Shaken Baby Syndrome Educational Materials
- Safe Sleep, Every Sleep for Infants
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: The verification form lists both the Abusive Head Trauma video and the Safe Sleep video. Do I need to have a separate form signed for each video or can I use the same form for both?
A: The same form is to be used to cover offering both videos. It is not necessary to complete two forms.
For additional questions, please contact the Bureau of Maternal & Child Health at ShakenBabySyndrome@dhec.sc.gov or by calling 803-898-0871.