In the years I've worked here in our small-town community hospital, we had one baby whose eyesight was probably saved by antibiotic ointment. The mom was fifteen years old and basically homeless. The reason all babies (except those whose parents decline) are treated is because the test for gonorrhea isn't done the day of delivery...and it's just those babies who are most at risk who are least likely to return for help. It can be very hard to get a ride or get the bus or get out of the house in a timely fashion, no matter what level we're functioning at that day!
I'm not saying this is good, or that we shouldn't be doing a better job of postpartum aftercare. Just that this is the way it is at the moment.
 
Vitamin K can be given orally, think it's usually two of what we happen to have in the pharmacy. I know one of our pedis has said she saw newborn hemmorhagic disease back when she was an intern, and "if I never see it again it will be too soon."
 
We do these meds when things settle down after the first breastfeeding and good cry by all. Usually the mom is getting up to pee for the first time, the bed is getting changed, and at the same time all the admission tasks are done (weights, measures, meds). We're an LDRP unit so it's pretty laid back; we do mother-baby couplet care after that so no one is going anywhere away from each other after that!
 
Dawn M. Kersula MA, RN, IBCLC
The Birthing Center at BMH
17 Belmont Avenue
Brattleboro, VT 05301
802-257-8278
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