Carol Chamblin asks about addressing hospital concerns about her pump
business as it relates to her position at a hospital.

I am a private practice LC and do contract work for visiting nurse agencies.
  During visits with patients I am permitted to sell or rent products but I
must inform the mom of other options to get equipment and let her know that
she is not obligated to get any equipment from me.   I provide the mom with a
list of breastfeeding product dealers in the local area that includes my
business but others as well.   We have a statement right on all our pump
contracts and sales contracts that the mom signs stating,........

 " (our company name) provides contracted services for (the name of the
agency)  You acknowledge that you are under no obligation to purchase or rent
any recommeded equipment and that you have been advised that you are free to
choose other products and /or suppliers for any recommended equipment.
Informatioin concerning other resources for equipement can be obtained by
calling......(then I provide an 800 number for breastfeeding products
companies).  In addition you may consult your physician about other options.


All of the agencies we contract with had their lawyers check this out and
felt comfortable with it.  I got the idea in part from reading the statement
on the back of my prescription for eye glasses that was on a slip for the
optician's business that is owned by my eye doctor.    They also had a
statement on theirs about having a finacial interest in the opticians
business.   So I think as long as you are open about other options and your
financial interest and put it in writting you and the hospital are on safe
legal ground.   I too wonder about other situations in which
hospitals/agencies makes referrals and wonder why they don't seem as
particular about the legalities of those situations such as hospitals always
referring to their own visiting nurse agency and not providing info about
other agencies.  Hmmmmmm makes you wonder!!

Hope this helps you.

Sincerely,
Kathy Kuhn RN, BSN, IBCLC
private practice LC
parentsplace.com LC

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