275085 Improving Hospital Maternity Care Practices in New York

Wednesday, October 31, 2012 : 8:50 AM - 9:10 AM

Barbara A. Dennison, MD , Clinical Professor, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Albany, NY
The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding are en evidence-based set of policies and practices known to increase breastfeeding rates in the hospital setting. NY hospital regulations and public health legislation require hospitals to follow most of the Ten Steps. Despite this, there is wide variation in maternity care practices and hospital breastfeeding rates, especially exclusive breastfeeding. To promote improved hospital policies, the breastfeeding policies have been reviewed with feedback provided, and a NY Model Hospital Breastfeeding Policy and Implementation Guide have been developed and disseminated via Webinars and the web. The NY Breastfeeding Quality Improvement in Hospitals (BQIH) was developed and implemented in 12 hospitals in the state. Significant improvements in maternity care practices and breastfeeding outcomes, especially exclusive breastfeeding, during the birth hospitalization were seen. The NY BQIH is being disseminated in NY and beyond. It serves as a model for other states.

Learning Areas:
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines

Learning Objectives:
Describe the efforts NY has taken to increase implementation of the Ten Steps. Evaluate the impact of the NY Breastfeeding Quality Improvement in Hospitals (BQIH) Learning Collaborative on maternity care practices, and breastfeeding outcomes. Describe plans to disseminate and implement this model in NY and beyond.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have led major initiatives to improve breastfeeding in clinical settings, hospitals, worksites and the community. I helped develop and implement legislation in NY to strengthen the Ten Steps in hospitals and increase monitoring, transparency and public reporting of infant feeding (breastfeeding) in hospitals.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 5038.0: Interstate Collaborative for improving maternity practices related to breastfeeding