Comparison of two methods for cleaning breast pump milk collection kits in human milk banks.

BACKGROUND: Appropriate decontamination of breast pump milk collection kits (BPKs) is critical to obtain safe milk for infants and to avoid discarding donor human milk (DHM). AIM: To evaluate two strategies for BPK decontamination by assessing microbial cultures and the proportion of discarded DHM, according to the criteria of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence for pre-pasteurization cultures. METHODS: Prospective comparative study, allocation ratio 1:1, microbiologist-blind. PARTICIPANTS: 47 new donors in a human milk bank in Madrid. INTERVENTIONS: Study group (N=21): BPKs washed with water and detergent after each use and further steam decontamination within a microwavable bag. Control group (N=26): washing, rinsing and drying only. Five samples: first sample by hand expression and four samples (one per week) collected using the same pump and method. OUTCOMES: Primary: proportion of DHM discarded due to contamination. Secondary: comparison of the microbiota between samples obtained by hand expression and breast pump in both groups. FINDINGS: In total, 217 milk samples were collected: 47 by hand expression and 170 by pump expression (78 from study group). Steam decontamination of BPKs using a microwavable bag after washing resulted in a lower proportion of discarded DHM samples (1.3% vs 18.5%, P<0.001) and samples contaminated with Enterobacteriaceae (1.3% vs 22.8%, P<0.001) and Candida spp. (1.3% vs 14.1%, P<0.05) compared with samples collected with BPKs that were washed but not steam decontaminated. There were no differences in bacterial contamination between samples obtained using steam decontaminated BPKs and those obtained by hand expression. CONCLUSIONS: Steam decontamination of BPKs using a microwavable bag after washing decreases the amount of discarded DHM and the number of samples with potentially pathogenic bacteria.

[Study of anxiety levels in neonatal unit staff]. / Estudio de los niveles de ansiedad en los profesionales de una unidad neonatal.

INTRODUCTION: The professionals who routinely work in neonatal units become under stress due to the working conditions and the nature of the tasks carried out. As a consequence of this, they may have high levels of anxiety. Anxiety is defined as an emotional response or response patterns that include cognitive, physiological and behavioural aspects. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on all neonatologist, nurses and care assistants who were given two self-administered questionnaires under baseline conditions, to assess Sate Anxiety and Trait Anxiety. (IDDA-EA; STAI, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory). RESULTS: The response rate was 88.5%, and 36% scored between 30 and 70 percentiles on State Anxiety, with 11.8% above the 70 percentile and 51% below the 30 percentile. There were no significant differences in relation to occupation or age. There were also no significant differences between State and Trait Anxiety. Regarding gender, it has obtained A statistically significant difference of 8 points higher was obtained for women. CONCLUSIONS: For the majority professionals everyday situations in which are involved do not significantly raise the burden of anxiety, as half of them have levels below the average. They perceive themselves as competent and able to cope with their tasks. They have a high degree of interest and attention in the activities performed.