Heidi,
I can certainly sympathize with you in your efforts to remove the Ross
booklet from your hospital and physician offices. I do a lot of consulting to
hospitals, etc where we talk about changing this behavior. There are actually
many things you can start to do to get rid of these booklets. The first thing
is to find others who feel as you do. This is the beginning of an
interdisciplinary task force for improving breastfeeding and reducing
barriers.

Next, find out why the booklet, discharge packs, etc are being given to
mothers. Does your hospital have a contract with the formula company that
specifies that these be given to breastfeeding mothers. Many hospitals have
contracts or agreements whereby the hospital is given $50,000 or more to use
the free formula and in return must give out these booklets and packs. You
and the patients never see any of this money. It is generally given to the
chief of pediatrics who is not accountable to anyone for it and spends it on
"educational programs."

One group of hospital nurses refused to give out anything from formula
companies because their job description did not specify that the nurses were
also to function as marketing reps for commercial products. In fact, this
hospital expressly forbids employees to function in such a manner (selling
plastic bowls or super duper knives to patients). They showed that peddling
formula and company literature violated this rule.

Next check with your hospital's attorney to see if your hospital or you as
the nurse are liable for any damages done to infants from giving out company
products (allergy, illness, etc). Track the rates of infant illness seen in
your community pediatric practices to help document the outcomes of babies
who mothers receive company booklets and discharge packs.

Then, check the mission statement of your hospital. If it has anything in it
about supporting the health of the community, ask that the formula companies
and those who want you to give out these products provide documentation that
the products and literature are accurate and good for mothers.

Think about reversing your logic here. They want you to find proof that there
are inaccuracies in this booklet (or you think that is the only way to get
rid of it). Ask these people to show you that what the booklet says does no
harm. Ask for documentation in the literature that states this booklet must
be given to mothers. Ask that everyone else engage in research-based
practice, not just you! Until they can show you the benefits of the booklet,
you will work from the premise that the booklet is commercial advertising
that violates the mission of the hospital and puts you as the nurse in a
position of increased liability from giving out materials not provern to be
beneficial to patients.

I have lots more ideas on how to approach this dilemma. Feel free to call me.
I can talk forever on this!

Marsha Walker
617 893-3553
Fax 617 893-8608