Dear Pat,

If there  is an area where we need consistency,  this seems to me to be the
one at the top of the list.  Ours is a level IV NICU sixty crib unit and
will be 90 with our new addition in Spring  of 99.  After researching Lois
Arnold's policies and Nancy Hurst's operation at Texas Children's the policy
enacted for the Milk Prep Bank called for  glass bottles.  The glass bottles
3oz that sterile water is packaged.  The bottles are always clean and come
with a good lid.  They come in flats and R***bottles are tempered so they
can be sterilized and reused.  M**J** are not tempered for resterilizing.
The mother just opens the bottle and dumps the sterile water and the
proceeds with pumping and then to the freezer or refrigerator depending on
the baby's need for that day.

Best is to get a task force of NICU pharmacy ,infectious disease
representative  , Hospital LC. NICU clinical specialist define the problem
and everyone comes up with what is best for baby and the facility .  The
collegial approach involving other concerned departments makes for a more
acceptable policy.

Look for Nancy's article in current issue of JOGN.

  This is one of those procedures that should not be too different any
place.  If a mother delivers X hospital and the infant is taken to Y
hospital the information relative to collecting and storing EBM and cleaning
equipment should not vary much or at all.  Should be a "universal" policy.
It is so confusing to a parent when they don't get consistent information
especially when it relates to the baby.

So in a word ---glass.

with kindest regards,

Beadie Cambardella RN IBCLC FACCE
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