Dear all, A true Ethical Dilemma lies before us! As an RN/IBCLC I am being utilized in a legal case (in another state) as an expert wittiness. When preparing to write my legal report on this case I requested from IBCLE our Code of Ethics, Competency Statement, and Clinical Competencies that were in affect for the time frame this legal situation occurred. These documents are being used to determine competencies and/or negligence of the Nurses and the IBCLC involved in this case. If this new "Scope of Practice" is left to stand as is, then how we practice becomes a possible liability to us all. We are taught from the very beginning, as RNs or IBCLC, to chart what we saw, heard, felt, smelled and said. This new Scope of Practice puts all of us in a very dangerous position both ethically and legally. First do we say what we know to be correct and just not chart it and let it becomes an issue of she said, he said with no proof on either said. Second do we say and chart what we know to be correct and risk being found out if the case should ever go to litigation. Thirdly do we just idly set by as we let mothers and children suffer needlessly and continue to let the world become more ignorant on the benefits of BREASTFEEDING? Or lastly do we stand up and say LOUDLY that we disagree and disapprove of this atrocious document. Some may say this was written mostly for the USA, but please remember that all countries and each individual somewhere, at sometime had to over come some form of oppression. And For ME I view this "Scope of Practice" as nothing more than a form of OPPESSSION. I am proud to be an IBCLC and for all those in every country who have gone come before me to make the advancements in Lactation what they are today. So speak up loudly. Crystal Stearns RNC, MS, IBCLC Mercy Memorial Health Center Ardmore, OK 73401 *********************************************** 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 email list is powered by LISTSERV (R). There is only one LISTSERV. To learn more, visit: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html