Just a quick note to the firing of the lactation staff at a hospital here in Massachusetts. From what I can gather, the hospital is replacing the current lactation staff who happen to be RN IBCLCs with people who do not hold the IBCLC credential as a cost savings move. I think this goes beyond any issue of RN vs non-RN to the issue of a hospital's responsibility to deliver optimal lactation care and services. De-skilling of the staff who care for breastfeeding mothers and infants probably looked like low hanging fruit in an effort to reduce hospital expenditures. This is not a new concept, as many hospitals use nurses' aids or other lesser skilled staff to perform many duties. It is really disappointing though that a hospital regards breastfeeding as such a minor service and of such low importance that it would consider offering patients care that conflicts with so many of our national breastfeeding goals and policies. 


Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC
Weston, MA





 

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