>In a message dated 1.11.05 11:09:14 AM, Heather writes:
>
>
>> I am not sure what community HCPs would do here if they thought a
>> baby needed formula instantly because the baby is malnourished - prob
>> admit to hospital, and the hospital would give formula.
>>
>WHOA! I would HOPE that they would give a starving baby food IMMEDIATELY,
>anything else would consistute malpractice. Certainly this type of
>incident would
>not be considered "giving free samples"
>
>Lynn Shea Rn,Bsn,Ibclc
formerly Franklin,Ma......now Lakewood Ranch,Fl
Yikes! Let me clarify, Lynn : )
A *starving* baby needs treatment now - of course!
But this might not mean shovelling formula down straight away - my
understanding is that the treatment of *starvation* needs careful
and expert supervision, starting with rehydration, and not food. This
might well be done best in a hospital - wouldn't you agree?
Immediately giving formula to a baby who is *starving* may well be
inappropriate.
My word was not 'starving' but 'malnourished' and in the UK, there
simply would not an available sample of formula to give *in the
community*....at least, not routinely (some baby clinics do have
formula on sale under our welfare foods schemes, but not all
community HCPs work on the same premises as a baby clinic, and in any
case, baby clinics are only open at certain times).
So in the situation we were describing - an 8 mth old presenting
'malnourished' in the community in the UK where we have universal
free health care - HCPs would probably admit to hospital if they
thought there was no other way they could be sure this baby would be
fed. This would also have the benefit of allowing a proper diagnosis,
in the event that the apparent malnourishment was not the result of
some other organic condition.
In fact, UK babies diagnosed with faltering growth - I think it
almost impossible for a baby aged 8 mths to present literally
starving, because all parents are in contact with community HCPs -
will be referred to a paediatrician, either in the community or the
hospital. If it turns out the baby is simply not being fed adequately
because the mother is routinely diluting the formula, then a free
sample of the formula is not going to help that baby
long-term....surely...or even short-term, unless the mother is asked
to give the formula to the baby then and there, and observed while
doing so. It may be appropriate for the HCP to ask the mother to do
this, and to obtain the necesssary formula for her. This is not the
same as having a cupboard full of free samples given by formula
manufactuers.
Cupboards full of free samples - whatever the samples are - usually
come equipped with an invisible neon sign saying "Give Me Away and
Make Your Patients Adore You". HCPs like giving stuff away! And
don't the formula people know it!!
Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc, tutor, UK
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