On implementing the use of chemical-free products in a perinatal unit / Anne Santa-Donato, Catherine M. Hill

In their article, Brower, Trefz, and Burns (2015) described four key components within the precautionary principle as a way to guide decision making around use of untested products. In the application of this principle, preventive action is recommended when safety (of a product) cannot be ensured, and the burden of proof of safety rests with the proponents of the activity or product (Raffensperger, Tickner, & Jackson, 1999). It appears that the authors may have, albeit likely without intention, violated these two components of the precautionary principle in their presentation of information about the implementation of a change in clinical practice around newborn skin care products.

Nursing