Christina

 I cannot answer for hospital NICU policies, but we often get a similar question regarding cold storage of donor milk.



1. What are the policies about freezers as opposed to fridges?



2. What is the concern that raises the issue of separate fridges?

If one is worried about cross contamination, then presumably each mom should have her own fridge for her milk tp prevent cross contamination among different mothers.

If one is worried about confusing formula and mom’s milk, it seems to me that

a. the containers are very different and not likely to be confused, even for a very tired nurse at the end of a long shift.

b. as you point out, the risk of confusing MBM of two moms is higher, especially in a crowded fridge, at the end of a shift.



3. This question comes up regarding donor milk in NICU cold storage. MBM, formula and DM container are very different. If they are closed well, there should not be a problem keeping them in the same fridge/freezer.



4. Milk in large amounts should be stored in freezers until they are being thawed for use.



Hope this helps.



Naomi











For those of you who work in NICUs.... are you required to have separate fridges to store MBM and formula?



MBM is not a biohazard per CDC, nor is it considered an “other potentially infectious material” (OPIM) per OSHA.



It makes no sense. Our breast milk fridges are overfull (with high risk of errors) and there is a formula fridge next to it with one lone bottle.



Thanks for any insight!

Christina Zimpfer, RNC, IBCLC



------------------------------------------

Naomi Bar-Yam Ph.D.

Director  Emerita

Mothers' Milk Bank Northeast



Past President

Human Milk Banking Association of North America



[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>

office: 617-527-6263

cell: 617-599-2902

www.milkbankne.org

www.facebook.com/mmbne<http://www.facebook.com/mmbne>

@MMBNorthEast

------------------------------------------



The information contained in this email message and any attachments may be privileged and/or confidential.  It is for intended addressee(s) only.  If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, disclosure, reproduction, distribution or other use of this communication is strictly prohibited.  If you received this email in error, please notify the sender by reply and delete the message without saving, copying or disclosing it.  Thank you.



































             ***********************************************



Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html

To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]

Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]

COMMANDS:

1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail

2. To start it again: set lactnet mail

3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet

4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome