Dear TJC,

We are seeking guidance on how to abstract the data element Reason for Not Exclusively Feeding Breast Milk for Q1-Q3 2014 discharges. Our first question is whether the medical conditions listed as Inclusions are stand-alone reasons if documented by a physician/APN/PA/CNM/lactation consultant/RN? Or do these reasons need to be explicitly linked by these providers as a reason for not exclusively breast feeding? Our second question is whether we can take other reasons for not exclusively breast feeding if linked by physician/APN/PA/CNM/lactation consultant/RN for value 1? For example, if the MD documented that "baby is jaundiced - will not be breastfed" or another linked reason could we take this as a reason for not exclusively feeding breast milk? Thank you for your time and help.

Heather Day

-- HeatherDay - 07 Jan 2014