Purpose for the program: To demonstrate how a small rural hospital implemented the goal to obtain an all RN Certified Lactation Counselor Staff to improve breastfeeding success rates.

Proposed change: All Maternal and Child Health Registered Nurses will recieve Certified Lactation Counselor Training within 1 year of hire

                            High breastfeeding and customer satisfaction rates will improve and be maintained

                            Best Practice Standards will be embraced by all health care personel

Implementation, outcomes and evaluation:

2008 Baseline = 18 fulltime staff with 3 RN Certified Lactation Counselors. Hired 1 RN with  ICBLC. - 22%

2008-2009 Unit Goal -  send at least 1-2 RNs to CLC Training every year until 100% achieved. New hires will obtain CLC within 1 year of hire.

2010 - 13 staff RNs out of 18 Certified Lactation Counselors - 72%

Formed a Professional Breastfeeding Council Team and developed an evidenced based Standard Breastfeeding Policy.  The Policy was accepted by the Maternal Child Service Committee in 2009.

Reached the 2010 Healthy America Goal: 75% breastfeeding initiation hospital rate. 

Franklin Memorial Hospital rates 6th in the State of Maine out of 33 hospitals who deliver babies with a 75% breastfeeding initiation rate.

2010 CDC National Survey( 2009)Maternity Practices and infant Nutrition and Care Quality Practice Score = 94% as compared to US -91%, Maine- 72% and Similar size facilities- 94%.

2011 Achieving Unit Goal of 100% Staff RNs to obtain Certified Lactation Counselor status.

Implications for nursing practice: Advanced Knowledge and Practice in Breastfeeding Education

Keywords:

Breastfeeding, CLC(Certified Lactation Counselor).