Brenda has informed us of the formula company name badge holders being 
distributed to staff on her unit. I have written and lectured a lot 
about these types of marketing tactics and how hospital staff is being 
used as salespeople to market formula to their patients. The first 
thing I would do is check with your corporate compliance department to 
see if this violates any hospital policy about advertising products to 
patients. NABA's publication "Still Selling Out Mothers and Babies" has 
a lengthy discussion with references on the influence of these trinkets 
on hospital staff. You need to look at vendor policies and contact your 
ethics committee.

An old Abbott Nutritional (then Ross) training manual stated, "Ross 
Hospital Feeding System is designed to provide an early and convenient 
means of getting started on Similac...and ultimately sent home with 
instructions that they continue to use Similac." "Never underestimate 
the importance of nurses. If they are sold and serviced properly, they 
can be strong allies. A nurse who supports Ross is like an extra 
salesperson." Show staff this statement of how formula companies view 
nurses. Peddling pricey products to vulnerable patients by nurses who 
should know better cheapens the nursing profession. I wonder if your 
CEO knows about this practice and if it is in line with the mission of 
the hospital.

Please send me one of these badges and any other materials from formula 
companies as NABA monitors Code violations in the US. These examples 
are important as we work to eliminate these practices.


Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC

254 Conant Rd

Weston, MA 02493

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