Mix-ups lead to baby system call

KIM WATERS
BABY mix-ups in Geelong hospitals are “far more common” than realised, according to a breastfeeding counsellor who experienced her own accidental newborn switch.
Australian Breastfeeding Association Geelong’s Marlee Agnew called on Federal Government to implement an “electronic protection system” for infants at birth.
Ms Agnew said the American system involved anklets for babies and wristbands for mothers that beeped if mismatched.
Ms Agnew said the American system would prevent mix-ups similar to an incident at Geelong’s St John of God Hospital last week when staff gave the wrong newborns to two mothers for eight hours.
Ms Agnew said she experienced her baby mix-up at Geelong Hospital’s Baxter House more than 40 years ago.
“I know it also happened at St John of God about six years ago and probably at every hospital around the country.”
Ms Agnew said a mandatory electronic protection system would give new mothers peace of mind.
“It would be the answer we’re looking for to stop these mix ups.”
A St John of God spokesperson said the hospital was investigating last week’s mistake.
The hospital had offered the families involved counselling and pastoral care, the spokesperson said.
“Protocols are in place to ensure mothers are given their own baby but it seems that in this instance human error was involved.
Unfortunately, it seems the baby’s identification bracelets were not checked against the identification bracelets on their mothers.
“We deeply regret this mistake and will be reinforcing to staff the importance of abiding by hospital protocols at all times.”