Planning a human milk bank at Roosevelt Hospital in Guatemala

Abstract

This paper presents the planning of a human milk bank for Roosevelt Hospital. Its main objectives are to facilitate the availability of human milk for hospitalized pediatric patients, collect human milk for newborns who cannot be breastfed directly, protect all newborns, especially preterm infants, from infectious pathological processes, and promote breastfeeding by encouraging mothers to continue breastfeeding upon discharge. This contributes to achieving the goal of providing all hospitalized children with the opportunity to receive human milk. In planning the milk bank, strategies, objectives, and functions were defined; the organization's charter was drafted; the population to be served was determined; the human, physical, and material resources necessary for its operation were established; and the operating hours were established. The work systems were also designed. Each system included: objectives, system description, work schedule, responsible person, standard procedures, and operational flowcharts when deemed necessary. The roles of the operating staff and the Advisory Committee were established. The essential requirements for the positions were defined, and staff worksheets were prepared.