Hi, All: Why on earth wouldn't a hospital pass along their cost of formula
right to the patient, as is done with the cost of every other product used
by the patient? Many years ago I was involved in a project to determine
what "supplies" for both a mother and baby were necessary in the hospital
and what of these supplies the mother could bring into the hospital with
her on admission in order to reduce the cost of her stay. We put together
a list of necessities that was handed out in the pre-admission packets and
in the prenatal classes. Some of our population is either uninsured or
underinsured and planning on paying cash for their hospital stay. They
really appreciate being able to save on things like Chux pads, sanitary
pads, plastic peri bottles, diapers for the baby (cost to parents? $18 for
9 Pampers), baby shampoo, the little comb/brush set, the plastic basin used
for the bath (empty clean Cool Whip containers work just fine)...This
situation does not occur so much in the hospital I'm at now, but this is a
very viable option that parents are not told about because it's all about
money. So...why can't formula for a bottle-fed baby be added to the list
of chargeable items? Now the hospitals don't have a leg to stand on when
they complain about paying for formula that has been "free".
I have spent almost all of my 25 years in lactation working in the hospital
setting and yes, it is VERY frustrating EVERY day, but working with moms
and their babies makes it all worthwhile at the end of the day. Our
perinatal education co-ordinator (love ya, Joan!) covers for me on occasion
and really got dumped on the last time she worked for me. The drs. offices
sent over 3 outpatients and she had a high inpatient census to deal with.
She said she was really frustrated and frazzled by the end of the day.
After I pleaded with her not to quit on me, she said: "Oh no, I would
never do that! I just LOVE working with the moms. It's so rewarding! But,
I couldn't keep that pace every day, like you do." I guess I needed to be
reminded why I come to work every day. Another plus to being a hospital-
based LC is the steady paycheck and the benefits, which are especially
useful if you're the primary or the sole breadwinner for your family.
Gives me an opportunity to make a living at something I love to do.
Pam Hirsch, RN,BSN,CLC
Clinical Lead, Lactation Services
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
Barrington, IL USA
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