Human Milk Saves Lives
Use of an exclusive human milk diet for preterm and low-birth weight infants reduces mortality by 75%.
Pasteurized Donor Human Milk as Standard of Care
The Milk Bank provides a reliable supply of safe donor milk as a medical treatment for even the most fragile infants.
Since 2005, The Milk Bank has been proud to be recognized as an accredited member of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) and registered with the FDA. HMBANA guidelines provide evidence-based direction to support the screening, handling, and distribution of a safe product that saves lives.
Safety in Every Bottle
Each bottle is labeled with the pasteurization date, expiration date, batch number, calorie level and protein level. All bottles are sealed and checked for quality prior to pasteurization to ensure safety during processing and transportation.
The Milk Bank provides a variety of options to meet the needs of your patients. Call for current product list.
Safety Protocols
The Milk Bank follows strict screening, processing, and dispensing guidelines established by the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) to ensure the safety of pasteurized donor human milk.
These guidelines have been established with the advisement of the Centers for Disease Control, the Food and Drug Administration, and the blood and tissue industries. Potential donors provide complete medical and lifestyle histories, and undergo blood tests similar to the screening process used at blood banks.
Donated milk is pasteurized to kill any bacteria or viruses. Before the pasteurized milk is dispensed, bacteriological testing is done by an independent lab to ensure its safety.
Milk Donors are rigorously screened, healthy lactating mothers who have delivered a baby within the last 24 months.
Order PDHM from The Milk Bank
To order PDHM for your unit or patients, complete the order form and fax to 317-536-1676 or send to orders@themilkbank.org.
PDHM FAQ
Orders received prior to 2:30pm EST will be delivered the next day via UPS overnight delivery. Orders received after 2:30pm EST will be shipped out the following business day. Orders can be received same-day through a carrier service for an additional fee.
Orders are dispensed Monday-Thursday.
Yes! Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a leading cause of infant death impacting thousands of babies every year in the United States. The NICU cost burden of NEC among premature infants is huge, not to mention the lifelong complications and medical costs that may follow a case of NEC.
Research shows that an exclusive human milk diet offers these infants the most protection. The cost of using banked donor milk to feed premature infants is inconsequential when compared to the savings from NEC prevention. (Arnold, L. J Hum Lact: 18(2), 2002; 172-176.)
A reduction in length of stay, NEC, and sepsis may result in a relative savings of approximately $11 to the NICU or healthcare plan for each $1 spent for PDHM. (Wight, N.E. J Perinatol. 2001; 21:249-254.)
In order to ensure the safety and quality of PDHM supplied to premature and ill infants, The Milk Bank adheres to strict guidelines and protocols developed by the Human Milk Bank Association of North American (HMBANA).
Since the establishment of HMBANA , there have been no cases reported of harm being done to a recipient due to the use of PDHM. For more information, please contact The Milk Bank.
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