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Subject:
From:
Jim & Winnie Mading <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sat, 31 Mar 2001 09:10:27 -0600
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Phyllis asked:

"LC cart?  Tell me more!  I'm always interested in the work methods
of other hospital-based LCs in case there's an idea we can adopt
ourselves.  What do you keep on your cart?  What hosp dept(s)
pay for your supplies?  Other helpful comments?"

Since she asked on LN, I'll respond here.
We picked up a 3-level laundry cart that has bins about 12 inches
deep for the lower 2 levels and one about 4 inches deep for the top
level.  I think the cost was less than $60.
In the top bin I keep various handouts that aren't part of the
patient binder, but which we will hand out in appropriate situations
(e.g., about working, pumping for a NICU baby, LLL info, etc.)
There is also some of the smaller "equipment" such as 3.5 Fr feeding
tubes, 20 cc syringes, 12cc syringes, my serrated knife, extra pens,
and the like.
Middle bin contains a couple each of larger breastfeeding aids
(Habermans, SNS) and samples of good hand pumps and the Mini
electric.
The bottom bin has been removed and there we have examples of the
larger breastpumps (P&S, PY and Lactina for those who used a Classic
as inpatient but will be renting when they go home and need to be
shown the differences).  The LC's don't rent or sell any pumps, just
let moms know what's available and what works/doesn't work well.

The cart makes it so much easier when I wind up needing to use a
breastfeeding aid or show a mom various pumps.  Our office is
currently about as far as you can get from the unit and still be on
the same floor!  (When we started up a few years ago, we had to take
what we could get.)  When our next major building/revision happens
(starting later this year) our office will be right in the middle of
the birthing unit!  I usually leave the cart outside the patient's
door unless I know I'm going to need something from it.  Most times,
I don't need anything, but when I do it's much nicer to have it at
hand than waaaaay down the hall!  A side benefit is that if someone
needs to find me, they just look to see what room the cart is next
to.  The cart is also great for hauling equipment to classes.
Slides, video, doll etc. pile nicely on top and the other stuff is
there if we need it.

We are "under" Women's Health and are budgeted through them.
Whenever we use any aids with an outpatient, we charge the mom for
them (just a little over cost) which helps keep overall expenses
low.  (We aren't charging for outpatient visits yet.)
When we use something from our supplies with an inpatient, we aren't
able to charge.  There is some equipment (pump kits, Habermans and
starter SNS's (if they ever get back in stock)) on the unit with
charge stickers.  We can charge inpatients for those.  From time to
time we use something from the unit for outpatients (primarily the
feeding tubes and syringes), so we figure it evens out in the long
run.

Winnie

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