[hypnohobbit]

This spring through summer, several volunteers helped with a project of reaching over 2,800 U.S. hospitals that offer obstetrics services. We offered them via an e-mail message a free circumcision dvd for their childbirth educators to use in their classes. The dvd contains the PSA, a hospital circumcision procedure, DOC's The Prepuce, and film footage of a female circumcision in Africa. Most messages went to the general e-mail address for the hospital, but we did manage to get requests for the dvd from 45 hospitals. Below is a list of the hospitals, in the order in which requests were received, followed by the number of annual births at the hospital. These 45 hospitals have a total of around 43,797 births each year. We compiled contact information for every U.S. hospital, along with the number of births at each hospital. We have or will have phone numbers soon for all of the U.S. hospitals, if you live in a state where you'd like to make phone calls to the hospitals not on the list below. If you have unlimited long distance phone service, this could prove productive for getting the free circumcision dvd into the hands of more childbirth educators. A couple of the hospitals listed below in New York were as a result of phone calls I made to the hospital and asked to speak to the childbirth educator on the maternity ward. Let me know if this is something you wish to do. I could send you your state's list and then when more dvds become available, you could start making phone calls. Also, please pass this message on to other anti-circumcision, pro-
intact baby lists that you belong to. Hopefully we'll get more volunteers that way, for either making phone calls or compiling e-mail lists for nursing school and medical schools.
Our next project is to get e-mail addresses for medical schools and nursing schools in the U.S. and to offer a revised version of the dvd to these medical professionals. If you would like to volunteer to help compile that list of e-mail addresses, please let me know. Presently there are only 2 of us who have plans to work on that, with over 2,600 nursing and medical schools. We definitely need more volunteers!!! This will be an equally mammoth project, but it could have tremendously good results by educating future nurses and doctors about circumcision and the function of the foreskin. The dvd will also be offered to doctors that we have e-mails for- obstetricians, pediatricians, family practice doctors, urologists, and general practice doctors. We still have over 800 childbirth educators to reach about the free circumcision dvd for use in their classes too. NOCIRC has distributed since February of this year over 1,500 free dvds to childbirth educators across the country. They requested the dvd and are now showing expectant parents what circumcision is and does to babies in their childbirth classes.
The Hospitals that requested the free circumcision dvd:
1. Medstar-Georgetown Medical Center- Washington, D.C.- 1,771 births
2. Portneuf Medical Center- Pocatello, Idaho- 1,711 births
3. Houlton Regional Hospital- Houlton, Maine- 165 births
4. Harbor Hospital Center- Baltimore, Maryland- 1,714 births
5. Crosby Memorial Hospital- Picayune, Mississippi- 293 births
6. Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center- Bronx, New York- 1,829 births
7. Blue Mountain Hospital- John Day, Oregon- 48 births
8. Madison Community Hospital- Madison, South Dakota- 57 births
9. Sioux Valley Vermillion Medical Center- Vermillion, South Dakota- 84 births
10. ******* Memorial Hospital- Kingwood, West Virginia- 135 births
11. Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital- Weston, West Virginia- 204 births
12. John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital- Indio, California- 3,110 births
13. Logan Memorial Hospital- Russellville, Kentucky- 177 births
14. Chesterfield General Hospital- Cheraw, South Carolina- 174 births
15. Crawford Memorial Hospital- Robinson, Illinois- 143 births
16. Reston Memorial Hospital- Reston, Virginia- 2,836 births
17. Glencoe Regional Health Services- Glencoe, Minnesota- 197 births
18. Pulaski Community Hospital- Pulaski, Virginia- 139 births
19. Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center- Marshall, Minnesota- 341 births
20. Meriter Hospital- Madison, Wisconsin- 3,442 births
21. Indiana Regional Medical Center- Indiana, Pennsylvania- 660 births
22. Melrose Area Hospital- Centra Care, Minnesota- 69 births
23. Medical Center of Central Georgia- Macon, Georgia- 3,276 births
24. Duke University Hospital- Durham, North Carolina- 2,988 births
25. Abington Memorial Hospital- Abington, Pennsylvania- 4,840 births
26. Margaret R. Pardee Hospital- Hendersonville, North Carolina- 572 births
27. Fountain Valley Regional Hospital- Fountain Valley, California- 3,657 births
28. Menorah Medical Center- Overland Park, Kansas- 1,539 births
29. Sonora Regional Medical Center- Sonora, California- 513 births
30. Goodland Regional Medical Center- Goodland, Kansas- 62 births
31. Cushing Memorial Hospital- Leavenworth, Kansas- 145 births
32. Tahoe Forest Hospital- Truckee, California- 444 births
33. St. Rita's Medical Center- Lima, Ohio- 1,936 births
34. Harris Methodist-Erath County Hospital- Stephensville, Texas- 449 births
35. Pitt County Memorial Hospital- Greenville, North Carolina- 3,554 births
36. Strong Memorial Hospital- Rochester, New York- 3,326 births
37. Lowell General Hospital- Lowell, Massachusetts- 1,894 births
38. Mary Rutan Hospital- Bellafontaine, Ohio0 535 births
39. Sisters of Charity Hospital- Buffalo, New York- 2,979 births
40. Dundy County Hospital- Benkelman, Nebraska- 30 births
41. Sutter Tracy Community Hospital- Tracy, California- 760 births
42. Memorial Hospital- Abilene, Kansas- 67 births
43. FHN Memorial Hospital- Freeport, Illinois- 561 births
44. Spring Hill Regional Hospital- Brooksville, Florida- births not reported
45. Moore County Hospital- Dumas, Texas- 371 births

 

[paquerette]

This is a great thing!

I could do northeast PA, but not until end of August/beginning of Septemberish. Off the top of my head:

Moses Taylor, Mercy, and CMC in Scranton
Wayne Memorial in Honesdale
Tyler Memorial in Tunkhannock
Geisinger in Wilkes Barre. I know there are other hospitals there, I don't remember what they're called or whether they offer birth services.

Anyway, if no one volunteers to do them in the meantime, I will.

 

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I would be very willing to help out any time just let me know. I am in TN

 

[Quirky]

I can help out in Maryland and the DC metro area, and have unlimited long distance.

 

[AntoninBeGonin]

Dh and I are going to get as many hospitals in central IL as we can. There are two here in town--woohoo!

~Nay

 

[jessjgh1]

First, yes, I'd like to help in some way-- this is GREAT. But I'm confused... you already called the hospitals on the list and from what it sounded like you sent them the info & DVD's... what are the callers supposed to go over now?

(I'm obviously just not getting something, I'm a little tired) Please explain.

ALSO:
It would be very very very GREAT if a sample circumcision policy could also be included or referenced.... you know the kind the lawyers love because it covers everybody's butts.

I'm not willing to make an assumption that hospitals are going to hang on to circumcision. I think they like the status quo-- but if we can make it relatively EASY to change their policy, many might be just looking for an excuse to get out of the business (and this goes for the insurance companies too).

Yes some hospitals make big money off circs- but I would think in most cases the money is pocketed by the doctor- and most pedi's/ob's are going to want to stay a hospital provider (gets them more clients & clout) even if they can no longer provide circs there. The incentive to change policy for the hospitals is they are liable if something goes wrong.

So providing administrators with suggestions to decrease their liablity by instituting a standard policy might go a long way. And a sample policy for clinics and doctors offices would help us out in the long run because that policy could include CORRECT information on retraction, etc (heck, even include policy on catheritization of the intact male, we know that has been a problem).

I bet you a lot of hospitals keep things the way they are because it is a big pain in the butt to write a policy... but SOME hospital (especially some in Canada, Australia where the tide has turned so quickly) must have HAD to do this at some point. And their are a few pro-intact hospitals here and there around the US.

For example a standard policy would explain how the hospital handles circumcision requests.

... Maybe they NEVER even ask if a parent wants it done (because that implies that it is necessary) and information on the care of the intact penis is given to all parents- just like all the other stuff that is given out.

...If a parent asks for one then they need to give medically relevant information so a parent can make an INFORMED choice possibly with the exception that if it is requested for religious reasons. Perhaps the hospital doesn't even provide them (there are rare hospitals in the US that don't)

... Informed consent starts with explaining that circumcision is not necessary and goes on from there: EACH and EVERY parent that requests a circumcision needs to know x, y & z (that it is NOT medically necessary, that it has risks and what they are, and that the foreskin has a function, that it can be delayed, that it may effect breastfeeding, etc.). That a circumcised penis requires a certain amount of after care, adhesion information (isn't that a 70% chance) and risk of re-circumcision

...Policy defines that mothers cannot receive this paperwork mixed in with other paper work, that a nurse or doctor needs to be present to witness signature and answer questions. Could even define that the parents have to watch the circumcision video, etc.

...Policy explains AAP pain relief guidelines and which ones the doctor uses (not which ones a doctor in the hospital uses, but the one that will be (or won't be, as is often the case) used on the child who is unfortunate enough to have parents.... grrrr)

...Policy explains insurance coverage or not, etc.

...Policy explains aftercare and specifies exactly what information each parent receives and is sent home with-- plus who goes over it with the parent and/or parents.

I just think this could make a HUGE impact, especially since you have obviously tapped into a willing audience in some cases-- these birth educators and nurses and doctors might be willing to advocate for this- especially if some of the steps are already outlined.

I'd be THRILLED to make some phone calls to hospitals that have pro-intact policies- or refuse to circumcise... if someone can just tell me which ones they are. I'm not sure that I can call outside the US, but I can write or email.

Jessica

 

[trmpetplaya]

I would be happy to help. The hospital closest to me (in terms of how long it takes to get there...) doesn't circumcise, but the ones in Seattle probably do... let me know more about what I can do (I'm also a bit tired today...)!

love and peace.

 

[paquerette]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jessjgh1 But I'm confused... you already called the hospitals on the list and from what it sounded like you sent them the info & DVD's... what are the callers supposed to go over now?

I think they're looking for people to suggest hospitals that AREN'T on the list and call them.

 

[hypnohobbit]

The hospitals on the list called NOCIRC and have already been sent the DVD...all other hospitals still need to be contacted.

 

[jessjgh1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by trmpetplaya I would be happy to help. The hospital closest to me (in terms of how long it takes to get there...) doesn't circumcise love and peace.

Can you tell me the name of the hospital that doesn't circ. I'd love to call and see how much info/help I can get from them. HOw they switched their policy, etc.

Thanks,

Jessica

 

[jessjgh1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hypnohobbit The hospitals on the list called NOCIRC and have already been sent the DVD...all other hospitals still need to be contacted.

That's what I figured, but then I re-read and, well whatever, my brain is muddled(-;

So only like 1% of hospitals even requested the information... that's discouraging. Of course cold calling is never very successful.

It is great that the videos are getting out there- baby steps!

Jessica

 

[MommytoB]

I'm for sure billings clinic in billings, mt would accept a circumcision dvd because on their website they do have a nocirc source on there website they do need a bit of reeducating

http://www.billingsclinic.com/body.c...ecial#hw142452

 

[trmpetplaya]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jessjgh1 Can you tell me the name of the hospital that doesn't circ. I'd love to call and see how much info/help I can get from them. HOw they switched their policy, etc. Thanks, Jessica

Harrison Hospital in Silverdale. Probably Harrison in Bremerton too. I think they're different branches of the same hospital

My childbirth educator is a nurse at Silverdale and she happened to mention that they don't do them any more there (she was really happy about it too!). I also was able to save a foreskin because a friend had her baby there and they were going to wait two weeks before having it done (they got a "deal" on the circumcision price, that's how I found out they were going to do it.... they were PROUD that they'd gotten a "deal"

. That was just the right amount of time to get her the info and change her mind!

love and peace.

 

[hypnohobbit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by trmpetplaya they were PROUD that they'd gotten a "deal" :

Oh man I got a great deal...they are going to mutilate my child's genitals for this price and then they are going to sell his foreskin to the cosmetic industry so the rich can look young with baby penis smeared on their faces! Isn't that a sweet deal?!

:

 

[hypnohobbit]

Sorry...I hope I didn't go too overboard there.

It makes me sick what they will do for a profit.

:

 

[trmpetplaya]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hypnohobbit Oh man I got a great deal...they are going to mutilate my child's genitals for this price and then they are going to sell his foreskin to the cosmetic industry so the rich can look young with baby penis smeared on their faces! Isn't that a sweet deal?! :

I know

The "deal" was $100 instead of $300 and just hearing about it made me feel sick! They didn't even have the $100 to spare (but they were still gonna do it). If medicaid still paid for it then I would never have known it wasn't already done to him (didn't know the hospital didn't do it at that point) and wouldn't have had the chance I had.

Not overboard at all!

love and peace.