For Health Care Professionals

Have Questions about a Medication???

Tom Hale, PhD, Author of Medications and Mothers Milk has developed a new center to answer all your medication questions. Now healthcare professionals AND mothers can call. Visit them on their website at www.InfantRisk.org or call directly at 806-352-2519.

Educational Offerings for Health Care Professionals

There are various opportunities to learn about breastfeeding at the BRC. The BRC provides:

Clinical Day Programs
Clinical Internships for aspiring lactation consultants (through PRO-LC)
Lunch and Learn programs at the center - $10 per session (scroll down for topics)
Lunch and Learn programs in your office (Donations for our time encouraged - Average donation: $75)
Hospital Lactation Programs (Clinical and staff education services available)

Clinical Day Programs for:

Home Care Nurses
Medical Office Staff
Resident Physicians
WIC Counselors
Public Health Students
Breastfeeding Counselors

We can design a customized program to meet your needs! The BRC clinical day program allows those interested in learning what we do here at the BRC or want to further their knowledge of clinical breastfeeding management. A donation of $30 per day is requested.

Clinical internship Programs for aspiring lactation consultants:

A clinical internship program can now be organized for you through PRO-LC (Professional Resource Organization for Lactation Consultants). Click here to learn more about the application process. The BRC is one of the sites you can request for your clinical hours. Its innovative program allows interns the experience to help mothers from birth to toddlerhood and gives them an opportunity to practice and hone ways to support and protect the breastfeeding couple.

Quotes from some of our BRC interns ....

"Colette, You are an inspiration to me and many others. You are absolutely needed in the lactation community with your fresh perspective and easy-going nature. Furthermore, without you, I wouldn't even be close to realizing my dreams. Thanks for believing in me!" - J.M. Sellersville, PA

"I can't begin to thank you enough for all you've taught me this past year. When the BRC offered me the internship, I really felt like I'd landed the best placement possible, and I was right. The opportunity to do in-depth consults with moms, while also getting a taste of working in a hospital setting, was wonderful. Seeing you interact with and provide assistance to moms, babies, and families has been such a valuable experience. You are amazingly good at what you do.
A.N. Media, PA

Physican residents from Einstein Hospital, Drexel University, Thomas Jefferson Hospital are currently scheduling days at the BRC to observe our lactation consultants during their women's health/public health rotations. We asked one of the residents, "What did you learn about breastfeeding in medical school?" He responded, "Not much!" The residents enjoy learning some of the clinical skills needed to assist breastfeeding mothers. If you work with new breastfeeding mothers and feel like you need to learn more to help them, call us today to schedule your observation days!

Quotes from Einstein Residency Program....

"Your help is essential in the journey of educating future pediatricians. Our residents tell us that by visiting your site they have learned invaluable information regarding the resources you provide to our families in need."

For Health-Care Professionals and THOSE WORKING WITH
Breastfeeding MOTHERs:

2012 SCHEDULE COMING SOON - PLEASE CHECK BACK!

Don't Miss this Year's Lunch and Learn Education Series 2012

Let us help you to help breastfeeding families!

The BRC continues to offer this Breastfeeding Update Series to anyone working with breastfeeding mothers.

COST: $10

All sessions begin at noon and run for one hour. Bring your lunch – we supply the beverages. Space is limited, so reserve your place in advance. Register by phone, email, or U.S. mail.

Phone: 215-886-2433
Email: brc4babies@comcast.net

Praise for our Lunch and Learn Programs:

Colette, I just wanted to thank you again for coming to do your presentation at Aetna yesterday. I cannot tell you how much positive feedback I have gotten. Everyone thought the presentation was very informative, and they thought you were a great presenter. This is going to allow us to better serve our postpartum moms. Thank you.

Kerri Piranian, RN, BSN
Case Manager
National Accounts Dedicated Patient Management
Aetna Medical Operations

Colette,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your expertise with Temple Medical Students! Your presentation was so well done and informative that many people commented that you were better than our professors!

Whitney Potter
Temple University

In-patient Hospital Lactation Programs

The BRC currently provides lactation services at Holy Redeemer Hospital in Meadowbrook, PA as well as Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, PA. We are equiped to provide these services to any local hospital. The program includes staff education along with patient consultation. Please contact the BRC Director, Colette Acker to discuss this program. She can be reached at colette_brc@comcast.net.

How many lactation consultants does a hospital need?

The United States Lactation Consultant Association (USLCA) has issued staffing guidelines for IBCLC credentialed lactation consultants in US hospitals. Identifying and maintaining the appropriate number and mix of nursing and specialty staff is critical to the delivery of quality patient care. Numerous studies reveal an association between the availability of IBCLC lactation consultants and improved breastfeeding outcomes in patients who are nursing their newborns.

Patients should receive resources according to their needs from clinicians with the knowledge and expertise to safely and adequately deliver these services. Busy maternity units, minimal nurse staffing, and lack of specialized knowledge conspire to often prevent the breastfeeding mother from receiving the level and type of care needed to successfully breastfeed her infant. The IBCLC lactation consultant is credentialed to deliver specialized services, much like a diabetes nurse educator, physical therapist, dietitian or other allied health provider. Short hospital stays and mothers and infants with more complex medical histories contribute to the need for lactation consultants to organize and deliver lactation care and services. The new guidelines specify:

- 1.9 FTE (full time equivalents) per 1000 births in hospitals with neonatal intensive care units (Level III hospitals).

- 1.6 FTE (full time equivalents) per 1000 births in hospitals with newborn special care units (Level II hospitals), and

- 1.3 FTE (full time equivalents) per 1000 births in hospitals with standard maternity units (Level I hospitals)

The complete document is available: Click here!

1355 Old York Rd. Suite 101 Abington, PA 19001 | 215-886-2433 | Hours: M-F, 9 am to 4 pm