Betsy:
 I think you hit the nail on the head when you referenced that all the
negitive comments about the Ameda pumps and the problems seen all came from
a competetor rep.  One suggestion I would give is ask that rep. to show you
the documented proof of their negitive statements. I've called that bluff
before over the same issues and surprisingly the rep could never remember
to get that info to me..
 My facility chose the Hollister pumps for multiple reasons:, 10 year
warranty, built in battery pack, adjustable cycle and pressure, ease of
use, reasonable cost, etc. Staff and patients love this pump much more than
the older SMB/Classics or the lactina and we've had no problems. Period.
Not our postpartum area or NICU or Peds Unit. Everyone loves the pumps and
even though the new Symphony looks nice, I have a major problem with the
price tag.
 We also use the Hollister kits instead of the Universals for some of the
same reasons,: ease of assembly/cleaning,cost and most of all, its the ONLY
kit with FDA approproval for contamination concerns ( major risk management
issue for us hospital baced LC's). Contrary to the other companys
reps "reports" we have not experienced one single diaphram tear or problem
with the kits . Yeah, with the Universal Kit you can get a handpump but in
a cost containment era the kit is too overpriced for our needs and we had
problems with filter contamination/replacement frequency.
 All in all, I think its more a matter of what YOUR individual hospital and
service needs are. Pumps are a market also and sometimes the threat of
losing a customer can also cause breastpump reps to pull tactics that may
 not be ones we'd hope to see. On both sides- I'd always ask both reps to
put the print where their mouth is and not verbally talk about the other
models problems- make them give it in print. If there were fires or etc
issues they should have been reported and documented, otherwise its just
plain snake oil sales techniques.
  For my two cents, the Hollister set up works great, is cost effective
and  is no problem to use. Medelas fine also- it just depends on YOUR needs.
Good luck,
Lisa Jones

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