I have an urgent request for information from any hospital-based LCs who also
provide an outpatient lactation clinic for pre- and postpartum mothers who are
experiencing breastfeeding concerns. Our hospital is flexing our two LC's down
to a more outpatient focus with the nurses doing what we previously did on the
postpartum unit. To prepare a cost analysis, they have spoken to several
hospitals comparably sized to ours (1000 births/year) to find out the expected
return rate would be for patients experiencing breastfeeding difficulties. What
they heard was that only a very small percentage of patients would come back in
for this service--5 or 6 per month. I believe it would be more than that,
especially if it is promoted to the physicians in the community and our family
practice clinic. If anyone has had a different experience with their outpatient
lactation clinic, please, please E-mail me ASAP. A decision may be made by
Tuesday which could reduce our hours in half or worse. TIA
Diane Bechtel, IBCLC
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