FIVE-STAR experience in a Luxury Hospital?

[Lenap]

recently i came across an article in nursing spectrum magazine called

"nurses help create a five-star experience"

http://community.nursingspectrum.com/magazinearticles/article.cfm?aid=22697

in summary: for paying extra $350-450/day out of pocket, patient can be upgraded to a decorated room with plasma tv, internet, special menu with choices of filet magnon, bass and duck; receive plush robe instead of a gown.

"the service upgrades begin at the door with a warm greeting by the concierge, who offers to accommodate a patient's every need-from scheduling a massage to arranging transportation for a family member to visit an historic philadelphia attraction. "

what are your thoughts on having hospitals with special units providing hotel-like services?

few parts of this article left me feeling angry. for example :

"the principles of service excellence offered build upon deeply rooted nursing values. more than 100 years ago, florence nightingale emphasized that nurses must diligently pay attention to the caregiving environment. nightingale stated that the art of "nursing ought to signify the proper use of fresh air, light, cleanliness, quiet, and the proper selection and administration of diet." this principle should not be applied to rich people only! sounds like "you get what you pay for".

i can't disagree more with this article. i don't think hospitals should have luxury floors.

what do you think about this. are you for or against 5-star luxury units?

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

Having worked agency on one of the units mentioned, I can say that the one I was on did not get preferential treatment in staffing per se, but they obviously had a larger budget to work with, and could afford to pay agency to keep them fully staffed at all times. I loved the patient suites, and the ability to give special treatment to the 3 Med/Surg patients I had. Gotta love that ratio!

The patients ranged from mostly post-op plastics, to cancer patients, to doctors, nurses, or their family members. The visitor policy was very lax, and patients could come and go as they pleased- that even meant behind the nurses' station.

It had a very peaceful atmosphere, and I really loved being able to care for the cancer patients in that type of setting. They really seemed to respond well to it.

I thought it would be pretty annoying working on that unit until I did it. I can't say enough good things about it, really.

[dream'n, BSN, RN]

I brought this topic up at work today, and I must say I was surprised at the even-even split of opinions from my co-workers. Everyone had an opinion (both sides) and felt very strongly about it. We had a great and respectful discussion regarding VIP units. Gave us all alot to think about, Viva la difference.

[PANurseRN1]

I'm not a nurse yet (still a student) so you can take or leave my opinion, but I agree with you llg. As long as everyone is getting (rich and poor) the best medical treatment, why can't the people who can afford the plasma tv or private room get it if they are willing to pay for it.

If it brings in money for the hospital to improve the medical care for everyone, then I say let them do it. As a patient, I could care less if someone is getting a steak dinner while watchin cable on a plasma tv next door, as long as my medical needs are being met.

Again this is just my opinion.

ERin (nursing student)

Would that this actually happened. Even non-profits are all about making even more profit.

[Pedi-ER-RN, RN]

Nurse Erica, The Pavillion at Washington Hospital Center is very nice. I worked at WHC, but not in the Pavillion. Some of their med surg units were nice and I heard that their cardio units/cath labs and LDRP's were awsome, but this place was freakin beaautiful!!!! Plush carpet, crystal chandelliers, paintings on the walls that move to reveal oxygen or suction tubing. Each room had a small galley like kitchen with stainless steel appliances. The pts were treated to anything/everything they wanted/could afford. I took care of a pt that was transferred out of the Pavillion because of unforseen extra days needed (obviously he wasn't filthy rich). I hear alot of high profile celebs go to theses places with "exhaustion" and viral illness, etc... and get pampered. Why can't they just go to a spa and pop a Xanax or two if they are stressed out. I have mixed emotions about these units. The pts aren't hight acuity and they are well staffed. Yes, these pts might runn your butt off all shift having you do trivial stuff, but the med surg pts runn your butt off with ligit needs, ie: incontinence care, wound care, medication administration, etc.... I too have mixed feelings about these types of unit.

Sorry for the long post :)

[subee, MSN, CRNA]

Nurse Erica, The Pavillion at Washington Hospital Center is very nice. I worked at WHC, but not in the Pavillion. Some of their med surg units were nice and I heard that their cardio units/cath labs and LDRP's were awsome, but this place was freakin beaautiful!!!! Plush carpet, crystal chandelliers, paintings on the walls that move to reveal oxygen or suction tubing. Each room had a small galley like kitchen with stainless steel appliances. The pts were treated to anything/everything they wanted/could afford. I took care of a pt that was transferred out of the Pavillion because of unforseen extra days needed (obviously he wasn't filthy rich). I hear alot of high profile celebs go to theses places with "exhaustion" and viral illness, etc... and get pampered. Why can't they just go to a spa and pop a Xanax or two if they are stressed out. I have mixed emotions about these units. The pts aren't hight acuity and they are well staffed. Yes, these pts might runn your butt off all shift having you do trivial stuff, but the med surg pts runn your butt off with ligit needs, ie: incontinence care, wound care, medication administration, etc.... I too have mixed feelings about these types of unit.

Sorry for the long post :)

The idea of these units run contrary to our democratic spirit. However, opposing a unit which would bring in money to the hospital doesn't strike me as logical. There is no such thing as democratic medical care. Even in Canada people with money cross the border for procedures they don't want to wait for.

[grace90, LPN, LVN]

When you're constantly running to get the light of the demanding VIP, whom donates a lot to the hospital and the food service staff actually offered lobster to, it does take away from the care of other patients. I might have been able to spend more time walking the s/p colon resection patient and coaching them to cough/deep breath and use their incentive spirometer before they developed a temp of 101 and atelectasis if I hadn't been stuck in a VIP's room dealing with constant demands. We had this VIP come to the surgical unit I used to work on, and the powers that be actually sent us a memo saying they wanted her assigned nurses to have smaller assignments so they could pamper her, and she was SO whiny and demanding. They wanted to keep her so comfortable and pain-free, she had a hefty basal rate on her PCA and had to be narcanned. She refused to walk or do anything for herself.

[Ann RN]

:angryfire You have absolutely got to be kidding me!!!!!!!! So money buys care? If the patient is stable enough to partake of these "amenities", they are not sick enough to be in the hospital! ALL patients should be treated alike!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[llg, PhD, RN]

that be actually sent us a memo saying they wanted her assigned nurses to have smaller assignments so they could pamper her, and she was SO whiny and demanding. .

This is where I draw the line. As I have said in my other posts, I have no problem with hospitals providing extra amenities for a fee. If I were a patient, I might choose to buy some of those extras. However, it should not come at the expense of the other patients: that would be wrong.

If asked to give a higher nurse/patient ratio, I would not short-change the other patients. I would say that I would be happy to provide the patient with extra nursing hours if and when they send me the extra nurses. If they want the VIP to receive extra time and attention from the staff, then they can provide me with the extra staff to do that. It might not have to be an RN to provide that attention -- but I wouldn't be compromising the care of the other patients.

llg

[Katnip, RN]

This is where I draw the line. As I have said in my other posts, I have no problem with hospitals providing extra amenities for a fee. If I were a patient, I might choose to buy some of those extras. However, it should not come at the expense of the other patients: that would be wrong.

If asked to give a higher nurse/patient ratio, I would not short-change the other patients. I would say that I would be happy to provide the patient with extra nursing hours if and when they send me the extra nurses. If they want the VIP to receive extra time and attention from the staff, then they can provide me with the extra staff to do that. It might not have to be an RN to provide that attention -- but I wouldn't be compromising the care of the other patients.

llg

Exactly

[mommy2boys]

This is where I draw the line. As I have said in my other posts, I have no problem with hospitals providing extra amenities for a fee. If I were a patient, I might choose to buy some of those extras. However, it should not come at the expense of the other patients: that would be wrong.

If asked to give a higher nurse/patient ratio, I would not short-change the other patients. I would say that I would be happy to provide the patient with extra nursing hours if and when they send me the extra nurses. If they want the VIP to receive extra time and attention from the staff, then they can provide me with the extra staff to do that. It might not have to be an RN to provide that attention -- but I wouldn't be compromising the care of the other patients.

llg

Well said.:yeahthat:

[Antikigirl, ASN, RN]

You know, I really didn't see this as much as a rich vs poor person deal since I really don't think that way...everyone only gets what I can do and the best I can do...no matter what!

My deal is more along the lines of someone who said the people that feel they are overly "entitled" (as in demanding and not asking or realising the reality of the situation of a hospital...you get to share a nurse folks!) to more care for whatever reason they choose and make things miserable for nurses and hospital staff...and other patients! A five star hotel feel would certainly make that far worse, that will just potentiate the "entitled" aspect and take away from the reality of nursing ratios and how hospitals function (we are a 24/7 business, not 9-5 or 9-9 so people can sleep or get a nap/massage/business meeting conference call during a day...you go according to hospital time/schedule...or nothing would get done for anyone!)!

And I am with other folks...if you are well enough for a 5 course meal and other ammentities..get yourself a private nurse and either go to a 5 star hotel near the hospital (which may cost you less...LOL!), or go home with private care! I tend the very sick that obviously can't afford these ammentities...and have no other choice but our small community hospital for their healthcare needs...and I will treat anyone that comes in there as my patients as I treat everyone else...equally and to the best of my abilities in any given situation which includes 4-6 med surge patients, and all the staff along with each patient I need to communicate and work with!

If hospitals want special rooms...fine, let the RN's that wish to work in that environment work in those areas...I will be happy taking care of Joe/Jane Smith that can't either afford or get those ammenities because I make my patients experiences the best I can given what we have available :). (I love a challenge to comfort folks in individual ways! Gives me opportunity to be creative and fun with my patients..and I don't need a fancy room or all these special services to do that :) !).

[Lenap]

If hospitals want special rooms...fine, let the RN's that wish to work in that environment work in those areas...I will be happy taking care of Joe/Jane Smith that can't either afford or get those ammenities because I make my patients experiences the best I can given what we have available :). (I love a challenge to comfort folks in individual ways! Gives me opportunity to be creative and fun with my patients..and I don't need a fancy room or all these special services to do that :) !).

Agree. Learning new experiences and meeting new challanges what makes my job rewarding for me. I can't imagine how rewarding it can be working on those special VIP floors.