Norma,  There are several things that most hospitals do to insure the safety
of mom and baby.  One is an alarm system that I do not want to describe in
detail here, as it won't be as effective if its workings become common
knowledge.  The hospital staff, including nurses, doctors, housekeeping,
etc., have been in-serviced in things to watch for, i.e. typical habits and
appearance of baby snatchers,  importance of keeping the nursery doors locked
(of course, that's not where we want the babies to be, but some will always
be there), checking IDs, etc.  In this instance, if the mother has indicated
that she does not want a visit from the baby's father or any other
individual, we will do everything necessary to comply with her wishes,
including posting a security guard at the entrance to our unit and at her
door.  However, the mother has to indicate to someone on staff that this is
what she wants.  She may be afraid of a confrontation.  A good nurse should
be sensitive to a problem such as this, as you were, and should be acting as
her advocate.  Open visiting is a very important priority to the patients in
our hospital.  When we tried to reinstitute a pass system here, there was a
great outcry in the community.  With keeping the customer happy the most
important thing now, as hospitals compete for fewer health care dollars, we
had to trash the pass system.  This is NOT the wish of the staff.  Fewer
visitors would make it easier for moms to rest and learn how to nurse their
babies and otherwise take care of them, as well as make it easier to keep
them safe.  But we have not been able to convince the patients of the merits
of this.
Please don't blame the hospitals on this subject, at least.  Most are trying
very hard to keep their patients safe.

Kim Block RNC, MSN, IBCLC
Westfield, NJ
e-mail@[log in to unmask]