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Subject:
From:
"Chris Smith, RN, IBCLC" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 14 Jul 2004 20:22:49 EDT
Content-Type:
text/plain
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I have been emailed privately by several of you asking questions about the
sterile water and the soap. I have emailed each of you separately to answer your
specific questions but then felt that the whole group of us that are not
fortunate to be in Phoenix right now may benefit from the information.
Regarding the sterile water rinses, I was told by epidemiology that there are
germs in all sources of water and more germs in hospital water. According to
an email she sent me from Vermont Oxford's NICU listserve, " the tap water is
definitely a source for potential contamination. Water organisms such
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter sp., Serratia sp. will be in your tap water and
all are inherently resistant to antibiotics
(particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa).  The organisms are also associated
with outbreaks in NICUs. "  For this reason, the physican in charge of
epidemiology at our Children's hospital has recommended that all patient care items
be rinsed in sterile water. Since we are  not a delivering hospital, we are
planning to use liter bottles of sterile water on the counter in the pump  room.
They will be labeled with date and time opened and expiration date of 24
hours later (if they last that long).
I was also questioned about the antibacterial soaps at the sink. According to
the MSDS sheet for this hand soap, it leaves a residue and is not recommended
for washing food containers. Dish soap, although it may be antibacterial, is
meant for food containers and is not suppose to leave a residue. We chose to
use packets of castile soap because they were easily obtained in small sizes. I
did not have the time to search other companies that make dish detergent to
see if we could get sample sizes.
Three of our four NICUs are off site at delivering hospitals. Their NICUs
will follow the same policy. Their post partum units, of which we have no
control, will use the castile soap but I am not sure what they are going to do about
the sterile water. This is a decision each of those hospitals needs to make.
Another issue which has come up is the daily sterilization of the pump parts.
We are not allowed to use the micro-steam bags because they were not meant
for institutional use. We are encouraging mothers to take their parts home each
day to either boil or wash in the dishwasher. If anyone is doing anything
different with sterilization, I would love to have more information.
I am sorry this is so long but I felt that all needed this information.
Chris Smith, RN, IBCLC
Columbus Children's Hospital

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