The document summarizes efforts by Community Medical Center to increase exclusive breastfeeding rates. It outlines interventions like improving data collection, enhancing education for obstetric offices and childbirth classes, promoting skin-to-skin contact, and providing breast pumps and lactation consultant training. As a result of these collaborative efforts, the exclusive breastfeeding rate increased from 39% in 2011 to 44% in 2012, meeting the goal of a 5% improvement.

1. RESEARCH POSTER PRESENTATION DESIGN © 2012
www.PosterPresentations.com
 Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for many
significant health benefits and for creating
optimal milk supply for breastfed infants.
 There is a positive correlation between exclusive
breastfeeding during the first few days after birth
and the duration of continued breastfeeding.
 According to the New Jersey state report on
breastfeeding the exclusive breastfeeding rate at
Community Medical Center (CMC) in 2011 was
39%.
 The Obstetrics Performance Improvement Team
(OBPI) recognized the need to address this issue,
when comparing other hospitals in our region and
our ranking with the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) Maternity Practices in Infant
Nutrition and Care National hospital survey.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES
 Assessment of the data collection tool led to opportunities for improvement to obtain more accurate statistics
of exclusive breastfeeding rates. Nursery staff received education regarding the most effective and timely use
of the data collection tool.
 Collaborating with obstetrician (OB) offices was enhanced as this is integral to offering the patients up-to-date
information and resources available. Each obstetrical office was receptive to information shared to enhance
knowledge and attitudes for office staff and patients, towards breastfeeding.
 Timely follow up calls with new mothers within the first few days after discharge is important and has had
significant effects on the continuance of breastfeeding. The change to call within the first 3-4 days from the
first 2 weeks did address the most common and significant problems with breastfeeding.
 When assessing the prenatal support for breastfeeding a decision was made to enhance the current Childbirth
Education series. This class is taught by a Certified Childbirth Educator and International Board Certified
Lactation Consultant.
 An educational video to promote “Skin-to-Skin” was offered to patients in Labor and Delivery. The video
provided an understanding of the importance of skin-to-skin which led to staff promotion and patient
participation of skin-to-skin contact within the first hour after delivery. In collaboration with our Skin-to-Skin
Performance Improvement Project statistics improved.
 To accommodate patient needs, breast pumps were made available for purchase at the hospital. Breast pump
sales were well received and this allowed for support and education on the use of the pumps which further
promoted breastfeeding.
 To improve consistency of information, we included staff rounding and education with the Lactation Consultant
a requirement for all new staff members.
METHODS
2009: Exclusive breastfeeding =36% 2011: Exclusive Breastfeeding = 39%
2010: Exclusive breastfeeding =35% 2012: Exclusive Breastfeeding = 44%
RESULTS
CONCLUSIONS
 In pursuit of significant health benefits for
newborn babies and their mothers it was clear
that promotion and education for continued and
improved breastfeeding support was needed.
 When obstetricians and their staff were given the
education and support for exclusive breastfeeding
promotion, the collaborative efforts resulted in a
5 % increase in exclusive breastfeeding rates.
 Nursing staff orientation in the maternal-child
health care areas included rounding with the
lactation consultant for consistent evidence based
information.
 Further improvement of exclusive breastfeeding
rates can be enhanced with similar collaborative
educational efforts with Pediatric offices and
their staff.
REFERENCES
 American Academy of Pediatrics
 Academy Breastfeeding Medicine
 American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
 Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrics, and Neonatal Nurses
To increase the exclusive breastfeeding rate by 5%
Donna Jagger RNC IBCLC, Wendy Reich RNC MSN
Community Medical Center
Improving Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates
23%
41% 41%
34%
40%
30%
44%
35%
42%
32%
42%
39%
46% 46%
44% 44%
37%
46%
41%
45%
37%
40%
52%
45%
28%
24% 24%
30%
18%
28%
25% 24%
28% 28%
23%
29%
26%
17%
25%
19%
26%
24%
26%
28% 29%
21%
24% 25%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
2011 2012
COMMUNITY MEDICAL CENTER
Exclusive/Combination Breastfeeding
January 2011 - May 2012
CMC - Exclusive Breastfeeding
CMC - Combination Breastfeeding