Hi, All: I think what you might be referring to, Becky, is not formal protocols but "scripting". Prototol, in my mind, refers to formal written "policies and procedures" that are kept in large binders on the unit and to which one refers to to find out how things are done, such as how to do a blood draw, how to administer IV fluids, how to assist a mother with breastfeeding, how to store EBM, etc. Scripting means what to "say" as opposed to what to "do". Our hospital has been looking at scripting as a way to standardize what everyone is saying to a mother. For example, we sometimes have issues with patient satisfaction when the patient "expects" to have access to lactation services 24/7. Some of the doctors' offices are leading their patients to believe that an LC will be available to them 24/7 in the hospital. Sometimes the nursing staff leads the mother to believe that the LC will be in right now! when realistically, she might not be able to be seen for another half hour to one hour. I think a mother perceives better attention and care when she is told: "The lactation consultant is here today. She will be in sometime this morning to see you." as opposed to: "The lactation consultant will be right in." Both of these statements let the mother know that the lacation consultant is available to her today, but the first statement assures her she will be seen within a realistic time frame, rather than "right now" which is a physical impossiblity when one LC is responsible for rounds on 15 mothers that day. I think most staff have good correct breastfeeding information in their teaching arsenal, but it may be in how it is presented (said) that can make all the difference as to how the mother is taking it in. I do have some unease myself with "scripting" as it is so easy to forget that a thorough ongoing assessment/history taking is essential to providing good care and that "scripting" must not take the place of a thorough assessment. So this is what your manager may be thinking, not questioning anyone's clinical competencies. Pam Hirsch, RN,BSN,IBCLC Clinical Lead, Lactation Services Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Barrington, IL USA *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html