Promoting Breastfeeding-Friendly Hospital Practices: A Washington State Learning Collaborative Case Study.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Quality Improvement
• Maternal and Child Health
• Evidence-Based Practice Implementation

Background:

• Hospital breastfeeding support significantly impacts infant feeding outcomes.
• Learning collaboratives are a recognized strategy for enhancing healthcare practices, including those related to breastfeeding.
• The Evidence-Based Hospital Breastfeeding Support Learning Collaborative (EBBS LC) aimed to improve hospital-based breastfeeding support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate participant perceptions of the EBBS LC's process and effectiveness.
• To identify barriers and facilitators to implementing the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.
• To determine needs for future learning collaborative initiatives.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study utilizing semistructured telephone interviews.
• 13 key staff members from 16 hospitals participated.
• Data collected focused on perceptions, barriers, facilitators, and future needs.

Main Results:

• The EBBS LC was perceived positively, with most participants meeting or exceeding expectations.
• Collaboration was the most valued aspect; time and technology were noted challenges.
• Barriers included staff time, turnover, cost, and resistance to change.
• Facilitators included management support, data collection, resources, and community engagement.

Conclusions:

• The learning collaborative model for hospital breastfeeding support is valued by participants.
• Findings offer guidance for refining future breastfeeding quality improvement initiatives.
• Enhanced resources and centralized information could further support implementation efforts.