To rant:  It's because we are so addicted to freebies!  It's all
marketing.  Why are hospitals so addicted to being free agents of
various businesses?  We are marketing for them - and they don't even
have to pay us to be their salesmen!  If the advertisers had to pay door
to door salesmen to distribute their stuff or tv time or whatever, it
would be more obvious.  If the formula reps were underwriting staff
salaries (which they have done in the past and is one of the violations
of the WHO code) it would be more obvious.  People just don't get that
there is no free lunch.  Including health care.  Someone ALWAYS pays. 
Jane in Tennessee

-----Original Message-----
From: Lactation Information and Discussion
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Brenda Phipps
Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2007 12:04 PM
Subject: Ban the Bags Update (and some discouragement)

I recently wrote that I was very excited to bring up the subject of
banning the bags at our hospital in Arizona, but after meeting with the
director am seeing the light as to how much work this may be.

The positive side: the director of our department believes we should ban
the bags. She contacted the materials management department and they
said we don't have a contract, and that we can stop the bags at any
time, just say the word. The negative side: the director believes we
can't ban the bags without first developing a committee to explore the
creation of a generic "health and wellness" bag for all of the patients.
This committee would be headed by me, and I will have to be responsible
for finding funding sources and community sources for things to put in
this bag. 

And as I expected, I am hearing negative feedback from my staff about
banning the bags already. Even from staff who have taken extensive
breastfeeding training courses and are considered breastfeeding
educators on our staff.

This will take much more time and infighting that I was hoping for. If
anyone has ideas for what to put in this generic bag in the way of
freebies (I will be getting some help from our local county health
department), your feedback will be so appreciated!

Thanks to those who have e-mailed me privately already.

Brenda Phipps, BS, IBCLC

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