For the upcoming learning sessions in October I would like to ask each hospital to bring at least two documents you have either developed for this initiative or have changed due to this initiative i.e. policies you have written or changed, parent education sheets etc.  Please bring enough copies to share with the other hospitals in the initiative, tools for everyone's toolbox... 

We wanted to make all hospitals aware that there will be a change in the enrollment of patients in the NCCC Exclusive Breast Milk Initiative. To allow smaller units to join the initiative the inclusion criteria of <1500 grams will no longer apply. For the larger units you may still only submit data for the <1500 gram pts. Please send me an email to let me know if you are interested in joining the Exclusive Human Milk NCCC initiative.

Effective change efforts are usually initiated by effective leaders. These individuals are often described as visionary, they are described as demonstrating a willingness to "step out in front", take risks or "take the bold step forward."  

Embarking on a journey into the unknown requires a deep level of personal commitment. When leadership moves beyond personal achievement or advancement and seeks to improve peoples' lives, it enters the realm of creating purpose and meaning. It means putting yourself and your ideas on the line. One of the leader's most significant roles is to create an environment in which others can take risks-to "hold the space," invite people in and make transformation possible. (Kimball, 2005).  

Are you as a leader willing to take a bold step forward and put yourself and your ideas on the line to make change happen?

What is meant by the term data? How can we use data to guide actions for improvement?

To make effective changes we have to be observant. Observation is an important source of learning while trying to improve, however, there are some weaknesses associated with relying on observation alone:    

• Our mind filters observations.
• Our present observations are affected by our past observations, .

It is useful, then, to turn observations into data. We define data as documented observations, including those that result from a measurement process.

Five types of data have been found to be useful in supporting improvement efforts:

• Continuous measurements,
• Counts of observations,
• Documentation of what people think and feel,
• Rating,
• Ranking.

No matter what type of data you are collecting, the collection of data should start with a plan. Include in the plan:

• What data will be collected
• How they will be collected
• Who will collect them
• When and where they will be collected .

Langley, Gerald J.; Moen, Ronald D.; Nolan, Kevin M.; Nolan, Thomas W.; Norman, Clifford L.; Provost, Lloyd P. (2009-06-03). The Improvement Guide: A Practical Approach to Enhancing Organizational Performance (JOSSEY-BASS BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT SERIES) (Kindle Locations 827-828). Wiley Publishing. Kindle Edition.

Title: Randomised trial comparing hand expression with breast pumping for mothers of term newborns feeding poorly. Valerie J Flaherman,1 Barbara Gay,2 Cheryl Scott,3 Andrew Avins,4 Kathryn A Lee,5 Thomas B Newman1

Objective:Breast pumping or hand expression may be recommended when newborns latch or suck poorly. A recent trial found worse outcomes among mothers who used a breast pump in the early postpartum period. The objective of this study was to compare bilateral electric breast pumping to hand expression among mothers of healthy term infants feeding poorly at 12-36 h after birth.

Conclusion: Hand expression in the early postpartum period appears to improve eventual breastfeeding rates at 2 months after birth compared with breast pumping

The next webinar will be Wednesday, November 28th, 2:00 - 3:00 PM.  Please plan to have at least one person from your team on the call so we can hear your 'voice'.    

 Click here for webinar information.

Contact

Tammy.Haithcox@pqcnc.org