Introduction
A policy is defined as a definite course or method of action selected from among alternatives and in light of given conditions to guide and determine present and future decisions (Miriam Webster, para. 1). Policies are used in acute settings as operational tools that give support and direction to staff, patients and the public (Collins & Patel, 2009, p.42). In nursing practice, it is important to understand these different policies as they influence our nursing practice every day. Ballarat Health Services (2011) developed a policy to provide a guideline on storage, transport and checking procedures for expressed breast milk in the scope of maternity and pediatric units (p.1). In the following paper a critique of the policy will be conducted through examination of the levels and kinds of evidence used to support the policy, a review of research written in accordance with the Breast Milk policy from the year it was written and an analysis of the overall usefulness of the policy.
Support of Evidence
The policy is presented in a descriptive procedure, in which the authors outlined the essential steps from labelling the container to transporting and thawing the milk. Although the policy does include a reference list containing about ten references, none are cited or paraphrased individually in the document. The policy does not appear to be evidence based to the readers simply because it does not cite any sources to support the procedure outlined in the document. This policy would greatly benefit by providing in text citation to support the procedure it outlines.
The references used are ones that are other policies or procedures from other outside sources, including government official webpages. Taking a look at the refer...
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.... (2010). Maternity –breast milk: safe management (Report No. PD2010_019). Sydney, Australia: NSW Health. Retrieved December 2, 2013, from http://www0.health.nsw.gov.au/policies/pd/2010/pdf/PD2010_019.pdf
Olowe, S. A., Ahmed, I., Lawal, S. F., Ransome-Kuti, S. (1987). Bacteriological quality of raw human milk: effect of storage in a refrigerator. Annals of Tropical Paediatrics, 7(4), 233-237. Retrieved from http://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/2449844/reload=0;jsessionid=fqrxwgkMoHG1MUPMgzpm.38
Slutzah, M., Codpilly, N. C., Potak, D., Clark, M. R., Schanler, J. R. (2011). Refrigerator storage of expressed human milk in the neonatal intensive care unit. The Journal of Pediatrics, 156(1), 26-28. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2009.07.023
US Legal Definitions. (2013). Retrieved December 1, 2013, from http://definitions.uslegal.com/c/centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention-cdc/
The case study that I chose to focus my literature review on is concerning premature babies who developed Necrotising Enterocolitis (NEC) from a milk thickener that was given to them while while was on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and which some babies were discharge home on. In one example of this occurrence, which I will use to guide my search for literature, the staff on the NICU had noticed that the baby’s heart rate slightly slowed down when he ate, so they thought that he was having difficulty feeding. To combat this difficulty the staff added a thickener, SimplyThick, to his feedings. When he was discharged home they gave the thickener to the parents to take home with them. Thickening foods makes them easier to swallow because it allows them to move more slowly in the mouth giving more time for a patient to close their airway, which can prevent aspiration (Queensland Health Dietitians, 2007). SimplyThick is a thickener made of Xanthan Gum, which is a substance commonly added to thicken foods for adults. There is a lack of information on how safe Xanthan Gum is for babies. SimplyThick was marketed to speech language pathologists as being easy to dissolve in breast milk as well as maintaining its consistency when mixed. These pathologists recommended SimplyThick as an additive to milk for babies with problems swallowing.
more beneficial for infants than formula? The evidence that is available implies that the WIC
Practically considering the difficulties involved in implementing the policy in nursing practice. Along with methods of delivery and evaluation.
NMC (2008) Code of Professional Conduct: Standards for Conduct, Performance and Ethics, Nursing and Midwifery Council.
...s that women face if they choose replacement feeding and had an overall depth to their research that Papathakis & Rollins lacked. Papathakis & Rollins glossed over the fact that commercial formula is simply not feasible for the majority of women, and looked at the situation quite clinically and impersonally as they advocated the use of commercial formula over replacement milks.
“Commercially prepared infant formulas are a nourishing alternative to breast milk, and even contains vitamins and nutrients that breastfed infants need to get from supplements (Pearl, E., 2015). Breastfeeding is proven to strengthen the immune system for children of all ages. While a mother nurses the infant, the mother passes down nutrients and antibodies from the milk the babies drink while nursing. Like immunizations building invulnerabilities for people destructive illnesses, breast milk gives additional antibodies to infants to help them. Nursing sessions are less demanding to retain and process the formula since it contains living development elements, hormones, and chemicals which help an infant to effectively process all healthy intake from each feeding (The Office on Women’s Health, 2012). Further, in creating nations, scientists found that for newborn children who were not breastfed have danger of dying from irresistible infections, in the primary month is six times more prominent than babies who were breastfed (Chen and Rogan, 2004). Children that are breastfed have less problems with digestive systems due to the breast milk, a standout amongst the most essential advantages of breast milk is the containing living parts, for example, contamination battling antibodies, white platelets, red platelets, and hostile to viral components (Taylor, 2013). All which are essential to the growth of a newborn's digestive system that formula does not
Lactation consultants are a vital part of the healthcare system. Together with the rest of the healthcare team they make sure that mother and baby's care as a breastfeeding pair is complete. The International Board Certified Lactation Consultant represents the "gold standard" in lactation consultant credentialing. Lactation consultants who carry the credentials IBCLC behind their names are specially trained and qualified to assist with every aspect of breastfeeding. I chose the topic of lactation consulting because I feel strongly about being a breastfeeding advocate. I believe that those in the healthcare field, especially the people involved in woman’s health and pediatrics should be knowledgeable in this area. After all it has been found that breastmilk is the best source of nutrition for infants.
The idea of pasteurizing milk bagan in the 1920s, and later became an aspect of everyday life in the 1950s. Milk that has undergone this process is normally prefered since it is sterilized, therefore lowering the chance of human illness. However, it’s not the 1950s anymore, and the idea of pasteurizing milk has lost its luster for the people that now prefer raw milk. Unlike the milk that most Americans consume, raw milk has not been pasteurized, or quickly heated to a high temperature to kill harmful bacteria. In raw milk, these bacterias haven’t been removed, leaving people at risk. E. Coli, salmonella, and listeria are only some of the bacteria that raw milk carries, all of which can cause sickness, or even death. Common affects of consuming raw milk are diarrhea, stomach cramping, and vomiting, but it's the rare ones: kidney failure,paralysis, and death that causes raw milk to be illegal in half of the states and illegal to carry over state lines in its final form. Nevertheless, people still actively seek out and consume raw milk because they believe its nutritional values to be greater. Controversies surround this topic on whether organic food
(9) United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Visiting. (UKCC) (1992). Primary Health Care, Code of professional conduct for the nurse, midwife and health visitor. London: UKCC.8 (2)
Women do not breastfeed long enough. Although healthcare workers try to promote the breast method, many women do not continue with it. Breastfeeding does come with challenges; however, the phrase “breast is best” is the role of the nurse in conjunction with education. A mother a...
Wagner, C. L., Anderson, D. M., & Pittard III, W. B. (June 1996). Special properties of human milk. Clinical Pediatrics , p 283.
There is increasing recognition today that social policies and programs should be carefully evaluated to determine whether they do, in fact, meet their stated objectives. Although it has often been assumed that social policies have a positive impact, this assumption has been called into question by many critics of government social programs, Midgley & Livermore (2008). A summary of the policy proposal, the proposal focuses on a problem that has significance to the US government, to a substantial segment of the population, to your state, to the environment, or to a community. When creating a proposal, a policy advocates must first identify the criteria to use as a basis of comparison.
Perry, S., Hockenberry, M., Lowdermilk, D., & Wilson, D. (2013). Maternal Child Nursing Care in Canada. Toronto: Elsevier.
Staunton, P., & Chiarella, M. (2012). Law for nurses and midwives (7th ed.): Elsevier Australia.
The packaged milk category was originated in 1981 by (quaintly named) Milk Pak, which pioneered tetra pack milk in Pakistan. The supply chain involved collecting milk from rural areas across Punjab, processing the milk through UHT (Ultra-High Temperature Processing) treatment, and selling it to consumers in uniquely colored triangular and rectangular packs designed to prolong the milk’s quality. Milk Pak’s “Milk Packs” were very well-received and the brand soon became synonymous with quality milk. Its first real competition came in the form of Haleeb, which introduced distinctively blue tetra packs to the market in 1986.