Stacy,
We've been using the LATCH scoring system for over a year now and we really
like it.  I think the most valuable aspect of the system is that it
necessitates the nurse actually watching a feeding and evaluating all the
important elements.  This made necessary more education which of course I
gladly supplied to even the most ardent "bottle feeding night nurses".  Our
supervisor bought into the idea of documenting effective breastfeeding (she's
not a real strong advocate, but she's coming along) Which of course makes us
look good to JAHCO.  What I did was to implement a policy that said all
breastfeeding couples would be evaluated at least once in 8 hrs for latch if
the infant had a latch of less then 7 the nurses were to document the
observed problems and a referral to a lactation specialist was done.  We also
have in our care plans that LATCH is documented and should be 8 or greater at
discharge.  We don't use the chart that the LATCH article uses, we just
signify the number with the feeding.
The system isn't perfect however.  Theres been research on scoring systems
and this one will not hold up to reliability and sometimes you can have a
score of 6 and the baby hasn't suckled at all but it's a great system to
start an education program.

Good luck
Linda Rosetti RN, IBCLC.