We use the disposable kits too, but we don't dispose of them until the
mother leaves the hospital with the baby.  They can be washed and reaused
until discharge.  Thy do not have to be discarded after every use.  We do
not have them take them home to sterilize.  We just use hot soapy water.
Joy or the soap in the dispenser in the bathroom.  What ever is
available.  Cleans well and we haven't experienced any increase in
infection rate.
Darlene Breed, RN, BSN, IBCLC
Coordinator, Milk Bank/Breastfeeding Center
Worcester, MA (USA)

On Wed, 7 Jul 1999 12:28:03 -0400 Cindy Dexter <[log in to unmask]>
writes:
>I'm afraid I missed the beginning of this conversation but wanted to
>add my
>own experience.  We recently switched from disposable kits (used once
>and
>tossed) to non-disposables.  My prediction is that the hospital will
>save at
>least $30,000 per year, and (after weighing the plastic) 4000 pounds
>of
>disposed  of plastic per year.  We now consider pumping an aseptic
>technique
>rather than sterile and Moms wash with hot soapy water after each use,
>then
>boil once per day at home.  We used and threw away 17,000 kits last
>year.
>Everyone was impressed once the numbers were examined.  This was an
>economically and environmentally correct decision.
>
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