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Benefits
Breast milk is recommended as the optimal source of nutrition for infants. It contains immune properties that can reduce the risk for morbidity and mortality in neonates. Research has shown that providing mothers’ breast milk to premature infants can help reduce the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis, reduce infection rates, improve feeding tolerance, and improve neuro-developmental outcomes. Despite research detailing the benefits of breast milk, little research has been published demonstrating ways to reduce or prevent potential errors associated with the administration of expressed breast milk. Breast milk is classified as a body fluid similar to blood or plasma, and contact with any type of body fluid carries a risk for transmission of infection. The many possible infectious diseases that can present in breast milk include human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis, cytomegalo-virus (CMV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), and methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). These agents can cause devastating consequences, especially if the wrong mother’s milk is given to an infant. In addition, non medical risks of an infant receiving breast milk from the wrong mother, are parents may experience psychological stress induced anxiety if they think their infant may have contracted a potentially fatal disease. This can lead to a loss of confidence and mistrust in the organization taking care of their infant(s). One study showed that traditional feeding methods reflect a potential for 1.04 errors for every 10,000 feeding opportunities. The site of the study averaged 12,840 feedings per month. (Read the Full Article Here!)
By using advance bar code technology at the point of feeding, SafeBaby offers true validation, resulting in the elimination of errors in the breast milk feeding process. SafeBaby, also provides documentation of each and every feeding for recorded proof of the correct feeding. By using real time bar code technology at crib side one nurse can safely feed an infant, resulting in more efficient work patterns in the ward, which in turn result in cost savings. The following list of root cause for feeding errors are easily eliminated by SafeBaby Breast Milk Tracking:
- Babies with similar names
- fail to verify name on bottle to infant prior to feeding
- milk bottle placed in wrong storage bin
- fail to verify milk distributed at discharge belonged to discharged infant
- failure to dispose of milk belonging to discharged infant
- inconsistencies and variation in bottled breast milk management processes
- inconsistencies in educating parents about labeling, storing, and transporting breast milk
- staff errors due to multitasking and increased distractions
- lack of formal and unified processes
- lack of accountability, with no written policy
- lack of communication between patient care units
- inaccurate breast milk inventory information
- failure to dispose of spoiled breast milk (spoilage time tracked by SafeBaby)
- unidentified bottles or feeding syringes
SafeBaby provides a safe and reliable method for providing the optimal nutrition to the infants in your care, while making the feeding process easier for the staff.
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