Wise friends and colleagues.  I need your help.  I have received a consult
request from one of the clinics here on the reservation, but I really think
this is outside my knowledge and scope of practice and wonder what you
think.
A nonlactating woman 1 month postpartum has mastitis in one breast.  One of
the modes of treatment they have decided to use is to give her a pump.  I
am assuming it is a hand pump.  She has no desire to breastfeed.  They want
me to see her and make certain she is using the pump correctly.
We do loan electric pumps and provide hand pumps, so I am familiar with
that as part of my scope of practice.  I am not at all certain whether
pumping is an appropriate method of treatment for mastitis since I've
always worked with breastfeeding women.  Perhaps some or at least one of
you will have some ideas for me.  I will go to the town where the woman is
(about 60 miles from here) tomorrow anyhow, so I guess I could see her, but
I feel a bit uncertain about it.  I want to tell her to nurse frequently,
but then again, that is not her desire.
Hoping for your ideas.
Sharon Jimenez, RN, IBCLC
Apache Diabetes Wellness Center
White Mountain Apache Tribe

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