Authors: Lauren S Keenan-Devlin, Janel Y Hughes-Jones, Tricia Johnson, Lisa Hirschhorn, Ann E B Borders
In 2015, publicly insured patients at NorthShore Community Health Center (NSCHC) in Evanston, Illinois, had lower breastfeeding rates than those with commercial insurance. To address this disparity, this study designed and implemented a clinically-integrated breastfeeding peer counseling (ci-BPC) program using the Replicating Effective Programs framework. Patient focus groups and surveys informed the program design, and a multidisciplinary team developed workflows to integrate breastfeeding peer counselors (BPC) into the clinic and postpartum unit. The ci-BPC program improved breastfeeding intensity and duration by offering all NSCHC patients prenatal lactation education, hands-on lactation care in the hospital, and on-demand postpartum support. The total cost per patient ranged from $297 to $386, and the program was sustained after demonstrating potential cost-savings. This evidence-based, multidisciplinary approach led to a sustainable program that improved breastfeeding outcomes among NSCHC patients.
Link: Implementation of a clinically integrated breastfeeding peer counselor program
Resource Topic: Breastfeeding, Child health
Resource Type: Mixed Methods
Year: 2024
Region:
Country: United States of America
Publisher May Restrict Access: Yes