One more message before closing down for the night... Regarding hospital
security.

We have been using a clothing store type of system.  Babies have a plastic
device placed on a band around the ankle or wrist.  If baby goes through the
door, an alarm goes off and security is there pronto.

We also have a camera surveillance system.

In addition, anyone who walks into the mother's room must have a special
name tag -- the mothers are told what this tag looks like.

As a nurse on postpartum, I am very protective of my patients.  If there are
any family problems such as were described, it would be appropriate to alert
security.  Nurses have LOTS of control over visitors.  As a nurse, my
patient and her needs come first.  If she doesn't want a visitor, I get rid
of the visitor.  I have called security many times to get rid of drunken
visitors, etc.  I have also told moms that if they are too "embarrassed" to
tell a relative to leave, let me know and I'll do the dirty work.
Personally, I can't stand visitors on postpartum.  The moms are there for
such a short time.  The visitors tend to be very obnoxious (due to their
excitement) and completely insensitive to the new mother and baby.  I have
had mothers remove their babies from the breast (after struggling to achieve
latch-on) because of a visitor barging in the room.  ARRRRRRGH!!!!


Donna Z, RN BSN IBCLC