The OB/GYN nurses at Auburn Memorial Hospital appreciated the front page article in the Saturday, March 1 edition of The Citizen about our new security measures in the OB/GYN unit.

We also appreciated the headline of Carole Estabrook#'s “My View#” column on March 3: “AMH#'s new baby policy a good one.#” We were surprised and disappointed, however, to read the column's statements about why this policy was instituted. Ms. Estabrook voiced her own opinion without checking with any of us at the hospital to determine if her “view#” was accurate. In fact, it was totally inaccurate and gives a wrong impression to our community, which worries us.

She said, “The new rule wasn#'t designed to combat baby-snatching vagrants from the streets.#” In fact, preventing any danger to our babies was exactly why the rule was designed. We have never had a baby taken from our unit, but with modern times has come a need for enhanced security, and this new system fills the bill.

She also said, “The order is designed to protect young mothers from the exhausting, hysterical antics of their families.#” While this statement was probably made in jest, we don#'t want anyone in our community to feel that we are trying to keep family members from visiting. Ms. Estabrook also wrote that “Non-authorized visitors will be restricted to the central registration lobby.#” This raised the question: What is a non-authorized visitor? Our policy allows the father and siblings of the baby to visit at any time. Beyond fathers and siblings, other visitors are limited to two at a time. If more than two visitors arrive, we ask that they take turns. The Central Registration Lobby is designated as a waiting area for those waiting for their turn. We do not make judgments about who is #”authorized#” to visit - that is up to the mother. Ms. Estabrook says she has seen in-laws “reach in to assist the doctor with the delivery#” - whatever hospital she saw that in, it was not AMH!

We just wanted to put the record straight. Thank you.

Sherry Gunnip

Auburn

Gunnip, R.N., is nurse manager of the OB/GYN Dept., writing on behalf of the AMH OB/GYN Nursing Staff