This is about the discussion begun in re: the plastic cots for wheeling baby
about while in the hospital.

I think what many of us on patient-side of the matter object to is not so
much the nuts and bolts of the actual policy, but that fact that we are
being "told" what to do in an authoritarian atmosphere. the actual policy of
wheeling and not carrying babies is not even necessarily bad - might be
easier for some post-op moms, and it is an easy way to get baby PLUS gear
down the hall in one step. however, the hospital's liability is its own
problem, not that of the patient. we object to having to alter ourselves,
our care, our ability to make decisions just to help the hospital not be
potentially liable for something. It should simply not be the patient's
problem, and should not infringe on her.

I had this problem when hiring a midwife for a home birth - she wanted to do
tests i felt were invasive and did not want, but she explained "just in case
- to protect my a$$" - here the paying client is put in the position of
changing her decisions about her own care just to suit the professional
interests of the paid caregiver. I don't agree with this. Another person's
liability is not the patient's problem, and all patients should be in charge
of their own, and their baby's care without authoriatarian rules which do
not benefit them. It is ridiculous how litigious our country (USA) has
become, I will not argue that; but why punish patients by putting them into
a authoritarian environment to counteract it? It says, "we know you might
sue us; so it is Us or You."

It is similar when changes are made to babies or mothers for staff
convenience (separation for exams, formula given, etc.)

Mandatory nursery observation for all newborns, IV antibiotics "just in
case", suctioning, ultrasound, cumbersome and uncomfortable tags on babies
to prevent theft, all fall into this category as does routine formula or
glucose. Anything the patient can't refuse due to possible liabilty to the
institution or caregiver I find ethically suspect. I know I do not have a
legal "leg to stand on", so to speak; I am only trying to provide an
alternate (patient's) view.

(dons flame proof gear!!)

Michelle DePesa

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