TV in the ED

Specialties Emergency

Published

We are re-designing our ED. It has been suggested to put TV's in the patient rooms. I am against the idea as our ED is disrupted enough and feel that TV's will encourage more visitors at bedside (always a problem) and loudness issues.

Does anybody else out there have TV's in the ED exam rooms? How do you manage any problems with noise, crowds, etc?

Thanks.

Andrew B

We have 38 inch plasma screen TV's with DVD/VCR's in our ER rooms. Get aload of that. :rotfl:

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We have 38 inch plasma screen TV's with DVD/VCR's in our ER rooms. Get aload of that. :rotfl:

Hope they're chained to the walls! :chuckle

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Specializes in er, pediatric er.

I work in a pediatric emergency room at a children's hospital. We have TV's in every room with the exception of the fast track rooms. They help with distracting the children during IV sticks and shots. They also give the kids, as well as the parents something to do while they are waiting. We do not have a problem with noise, but our exam rooms have glass doors that we shut to prevent noise. There has not been any issues with crowds either.

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we were hesitant about tv's with our rebuild several years ago...... but our fears were not supported. Really aren't a problem and we do run a busy ED. It works good for us. I would like headphones and music actually for pts!

am not aware of anyone coming in for tv....... for food and a roof over their heads: yes! Why does everyone who arrives expect an immediate meal and an assisted potty break....... how did they meet those needs before arriving at ED????

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Face it, healthcare is also about customer satisfaction. Our last speaker here was a VP of DisneyWorld talking about making it a more pleasant expierience for the pts!! We have TVs in certain rooms and I love it. We have a lot of holds and it is otherwise unbearable for them. It will help your Press Ganeys (or Jackson,etc )too!

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We have TV's in our ED and they were a god send. They keep the patients occupied and entertained and those that are REALLY sick, usually don't care to watch them anyway. Our TV's are on a long arm and are the smaller ones so the patients can pull them to in fromt of them and there aren't any remote controls to worry about. I have never had anyone bother me for any help with programming or any other silliness. The ONLY problem with them has been looking out for them when moving about the rooms that have 2 stretchers and a curtain between. Doesn't feel good when you hit your head.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.

We did have a not so funny incident with the TVs, one time. It was on night shift and we have a satellite system for the TVs. But one night some one in Plant ops or housekeeping decided to fool with the system and see some Adult movies. Yes it happened and we had aduly broadcsating through out the hospital. I didnt hear any complaints from the adult males in the ER

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We have had TV's at most of our bedsides for about a year now - when we move into our new ED, all the beds will have TV's (including the 10 fast-track beds). Noise has rarely been a problem, and visitors at the bedside has really not been an issue (not enough room at bedside! :chuckle ) Our patient complaints to administration have drastically decreased, patients aren't on their call light "can I have more pain med, water, time and attention...etc). Only once has it been an issue, and one little kid wanted to stay until the end of the program on NICK - told mom "we don't have cable at home! :crying2: " Just had to laugh. Look at it as an opportunity to decrease the patients anxiety and stress, which in turn rolls downhill - less for you! :balloons:

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Specializes in ER,ICU,L+D,OR.

I love keeping up with my soap opera at work

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Specializes in Pediatric ED.
Word to the wise - bolt your remote controls down, or eliminate them altogether. They tend to grow legs. Get ready for patients using the call light to ask you to turn the TV for them.

The remotes where I do clinicals are part of the call bell. Call bell + volume + channels + room lights. Awesome. I think the TVs are great for keeping them from bugging us about their test results 5 minutes after we draw their blood.

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Specializes in ALF, Medical, ER.

We have TVs here too. Like others have said,it does help pass the time and greatly help with children.

No issues as far as noise goes, if it gets too loud, we ask them to turn it down.

No issues with visitors either. But then again we also have a rule of one visitor per adult patient (peds patients, two visitors)

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Telemetry, CCU, ER.

I was once not so keen on the TV's in the ED also, but my mind has been changed from 2 perspectives. First from a nurse point of view, They are really great for kids and they really do occupy the patients time so that they are not on the call bell constantly asking when will I be seen. Secondly from a parents point of view, my daughter cut her leg this summer and needed sutures, during the whole procedure she watched the Disney Channel while squeezing my hand and never cried, or screamed. They thought she was a great patient, I was relieved that she was not freaking out. That really changed my mind. Someone mentioned remotes, we got rid of them and now have it as part of the call bell system, much better as the remotes will walk.

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