Laurie writes...

Also wanted to say thanks to a recent poster who talked about a dream
job in a military hospital. She pointed out some of the things that
hospital LCs do that are not routinely recognized. Like being a resource
person for anesthesia, surgeons, helping lactating moms in post-op or
ICU situations, etc. Just yesterday, I was called to see a mother with a
3 wk old bf baby. The mom had urologic surgery and had her breasts bound
due to leaking. Lucky, the nurse called me, and I was able to help mom
express and also discussed the postop meds with nurse and mom. We also
see mom/baby when baby is admitted to pediatrics, also called for some
lactating moms presenting to ER with mastitis or other non-lactation
events.

I just wanted to add:  being a Mentor and resource to all staff.  Taking
the time to ask staff is they would like to observe mom latch the baby
or ask the nurses aide if she would like to watch me put the pump
together.  When in reality, I am offering to teach her.  I am sometimes
present during teaching physician rounds and will discuss what we have
done in regards to lactation.  I don't do that to give the docs a
detailed report, they can read my note.  I do it to teach them and
provide them with tools to help other breastfeeding families.
Unfortunately, there is way too much misinformation that is distributed
within the healthcare system and lay community about breastfeeding
management.  I have med students, residents with me occasionally and I
use the time as effectively as I can to give them as much info to help
moms and babies with the time have assigned to me.  When I write my
patient notes, I write very detailed notes, not for liability but (yes,
I should for that reason) but for teaching the person reading my note
who might be more breastfeeding friendly/knowledgable with their next
patient.  I just presented today, and discussed for almost two hours,
several different issues for our breastmilk storage and collection
policy to our hospital wide policy and practice committee.  I represent
breastfeeding moms and babies, not the infection control person or the
budget person.  Yes, I am still working on that issue with breastmilk
not being marked biohazard (if anyone remembers that thread a long while
back!)  Making changes that can impact many families.  I will give an
orientation lecture today to 62+ new RN's that are starting employment
with our hospital.  One on one private practice is immediately
rewarding, and the pplc can also initiate the same measures that I
mentioned with mentoring, but the potential for a big impact that the
hospital LC can be part of is just wonderful.  I may not always have a
direct impact with every breastfeeding family that is admitted to our
hospital, but my efforts that I do on a daily basis, I do to slowly work
at changing the hospital environment to be more breastfeeding friendly.
Angie Kirkwood RN, BSN, IBCLC
Nurse Feeding Specialist and Certified Lactation Consultant
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh



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