Purpose for the program: Studies show that some chemicals in personal care products can have negative effects on human health, such as increases in cancer, allergies and hormone disruption.  Multiple personal care products are used in our institution. Our quest was to identify chemical-free personal care products for use in the perinatal areas of our tertiary center.

Proposed change: Our goal was to define a process for moving to healthier baby care products through the use of only current evidence-based research on chemicals and their effects on health. Our education challenge was to increase awareness of chemical-free product use by patients, staff and the community. 

Implementation, outcomes and evaluation: A "Green Team", consisting of Nurses, a Pediatrician, Maternity Director, Pharmacist, and a Patient Care Technician, representing the Perinatal areas was established. Stakeholders, including Sourcing, Marketing, Administration, Legal, and Infection Control were consulted. Organizational and Green Team goals were aligned. Current, evidence-based research was reviewed. Infant skin care products used in the hospital were evaluated. Parents and staff were surveyed and results indicated a desire for chemical-free products for self and infants. New product evaluation criteria were established. A new chemical-free personal care product was selected, presented, and approved. Education of staff, physicians, and patients regarding need for replacement product, healthy product choices, cost and practice impact, and resource information was completed. The new product will be used in care of infants and samples sent home with families. Evaluation of new product acceptance to be conducted through postpartum survey.

Implications for nursing practice: Changing to chemical-free products will position our organization as a community leader, setting a health standard to decrease environmental exposure to parents, families, and staff. We plan to move toward identifying other environmentally safe products and practices in our health care setting.

Keywords: Chemical-Free Personal Care Products, Chemical Exposure, Environmantal Hazards