Vim & Vigor - Fall 2012 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center - (Page 54)

Foundation Baby Steps Foundation fund assists new parents in times of great happiness—and devastating loss T he Baby Steps Fund, which is operated by the Phelps Regional Healthcare Foundation to support needs of the obstetric and pediatric departments, now includes several components: Katie Burdett, director of maternal child services, holds one of PCRMC’s newest arrivals. LACTATION SUPPORT AND NEWBORN CARE The lactation clinic at Phelps County Regional Medical Center (PCRMC) is staffed five days a week with a certified lactation consultant, while many nurses also are certified lactation consultants. The Baby Steps Fund helps provide hospital-grade breast pumps at low cost (based on income) to working mothers or mothers who go to school at least part time. “This helps tremendously, because we want these moms to be able to continue to breastfeed in spite of having to go back to work or school,” says lactation consultant Julie Conaway. “We also offer a free nursing bra.” Clinic services are available regardless of whether breastfeeding moms delivered at PCRMC, says Katie Burdett, director of maternal child services. “The fund has allowed us to take our programs out to many more people, which helps to improve the number of babies able to breastfeed and the length of time they do it. If we can have more breastfed babies, we know we have healthy babies and families.” The Baby Steps fund also provides essential nursery equipment such as swings and bouncer seats, so babies withdrawing from being exposed to narcotics and drugs while in the womb can be comforted. Toys were also upgraded in the pediatrics unit. EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FOR DEVASTATING LOSS “We also wanted to create a program for those dealing with miscarriage or fetal loss,” says Burdett. The department acquired educational materials to use when talking with parents, but perhaps the most important purchase was a high-quality camera that “allows us to take pictures when appropriate and provide them to the family. “The nurses are so dedicated to giving every mom, regardless of the situation, a great experience,” Burdett says. “Every loss is felt; we have asked several nurses 54 Vim & Vigor • FALL 2 012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Fall 2012 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2012 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center
Contents
Opening Thoughts
The Innovator
Snore No More
30 Days to Better Sleep
I Can’t Ask My Doctor That!
He Said, She Said
Hold On to Your Health
Still A Screening Star
Your Joints: An Owner’s Manual
Weighing Your Options
No Greater Gift
Weather Alert
Virtual Health
Remaking a Statement
The Highest-Tech Heart Care
Available Just for You!
Age Is Just a Number
Foundation
Auxiliary

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2012 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center