Observing classes for CBE certification - Anyone run into this problem?

doulaamber · 07-31-2006, 07:58 PM

Long story short, I need to observe a breastfeeding class for my childbirth educator certification so I called Mayo to see if I could do that. She told me no cause of HIPPA.

I'm calling total BS on that. Every other hosptial I know lets you observe. She said "well, we just can't let anybody and everybody observe cause what if they go out after the class and say 'well I saw so and so at the class and blah blah blah' so you can't come."

First, why not just have me sign something stating I understand the HIPPA law and won't share any information. And honestly, when you are in a class with like 20 other people, do you really expect total privacy?? Who says they aren't going to go out and share the same info???

erad76 · 07-31-2006, 08:08 PM

that is lame.

how do they handle this with their paying customers? i paid for one of my classes, and then found an organization that lets observers go for free.
i would just try to find another class to observe, and it's their loss that you can't recomend their classes because you've never seen them.

MothertheMother · 07-31-2006, 08:18 PM

how does that make sense at all? You are not asking to observe a lactation consultant with a new mama without her consent or something. Just sign up for the class and pay for it and show up. Are they going to tell you no because only pregnant people can be there. Can they prove you are not pregnant. Oh my...I could go on and on. The injustices. I would try to reach someone else in the department. One of my favorite sayings is never take "no" from a person not authorized to say yes! Good luck

doulaamber · 07-31-2006, 08:23 PM

The lady I talked to is the supervisor who runs the perinatal education stuff. I have run into sooooooo many walls trying to get into Mayo. UGH.

I don't have the money to pay for the classes right now

It's just total crap.

There are only 2 hospitals in town and the other one I can't observe until the end of October. I was hoping to get this all done a lot sooner then that. That is the only thing I have left to do.

*SIGH*

erad76 · 07-31-2006, 08:35 PM

the answer is already no, so why not push it? usually i am a 'kill them with kindness' type of person, but this can be combined with pointed questions that will wear down many people. call again and be super friendly, ask again if you can observe the class. if she says no, ask her to explain why. bring up the point that your observing the class is no different than if you were paying for it. offer to sign a statement. all the while, stay pleasant and try to phrase your solutions in ways that can let her take credit for them. don't try to get her to see how she is wrong (even though she is) try to get her to come to workable solution.
i've gotton bank managers to transfer money between account with different social security numbers on them over the phone with this, so it can work!

MothertheMother · 07-31-2006, 08:37 PM

this might be a little sneaky but have you tried contacting the actual teacher of the class. I have been able to observe just by talking to the teacher. I didn't have to go through the hospital. Maybe that would work (if you can find out who teaches)

doulaamber · 07-31-2006, 10:53 PM

HMMMMMMMM, I wonder if I could find out who teaches. I know that the only people who teach the CBE classes are L&D nurses. I think they also teach the bf classes. I'll have to research that and find out.

tlcdoula · 07-31-2006, 11:43 PM

Sounds like the instructor doesn't want an observer. I know when I took my classes I had to sign up as if I was a class member and pay for the classes as well.

Stacie · 08-01-2006, 12:23 AM

Have you tried your local WIC office? They provide breastfeeding classes there, and they are pretty relaxed about who comes. Call you local LLL and see if they know of other places that offer breastfeeding classes not affiliated with the hospitals.

Acacia · 08-01-2006, 08:42 AM

I haven't had HIPPA issues, but I have found that hospitals are all different. I contacted the hospital that I gave birth to my second at and they were going to allow me to comeonly if I paid the full fee for the class. I just went toother hospitals in the area. The last one I contacted was WONDERFUL! The lady in charge of education asked what I would be interested in attending and I told her I would love to go all of them. She told me all the dates, times and locations and invited me to them. She also said she would ask me to intorduce myself and would probably put me to work! I would just say try other hospitals or contact a lactation consultant personally and see if they would allow you to come to one of their classes. I know HIPPA has a purpose, but like other things in the medical profession I think it has been taken a bit to far in this situation.

ctowndoula · 08-01-2006, 11:57 AM

The only time I run into HIPPA is not letting me back for Triage or in Recovery after a c-section.

Do you have any indepedent educators in your area? Does the class have to be taught by an IBCLC? There are CLE through CAPPA and there might be other certified CBEs who teach a breastfeeding basics class?

fearlessbirth · 08-01-2006, 12:27 PM

*cough cough cough bullshit! ahem*

Um, yes...what they all said. That makes NO sense whatsoever

. Keep on pushin' till they let you in...even if you annoy them, since you can't afford to pay, you'll never see them unless you get your way...then it'll have been worth it!

Good luck

MindOverLaborDoulas · 08-01-2006, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fearlessbirth

*cough cough cough bullshit! ahem*

AussieDoula · 08-01-2006, 08:33 PM

Sorry you're having this problem...
It sounds like the lady is trying to keep Mayo protocol private and nothing to do with the HIPAA story at all. It could be a case of protecting their tight-knit unit, since you have told her you are going to be a CBE. She might be defensive about new CBE's observing what she perceives as their territory.

Or, who knows, there might be actual guidelines about allowing other healthcare professionals to sit in on Mayo's classes.

When I went to my local classes, I didn't call the director/supervisor at all. I just called the same hospital prenatal course extension line that a pregnant mother would and booked a spot with the teacher (although I did explain to them that I was a Doula and that I wouldn't be blatantly using it as a business opportunity, it was merely a requirement of my training). Mine were great, they signed Certificates Of Attendance and asked me to talk about myself and what doulas do.

nocomparta · 08-01-2006, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fearlessbirth

*cough cough cough bullshit! ahem*

Good luck