Recently the hospital in which I work began a policy of not allowing any food, drink, or personal materials (i.e. books, pictures, etc) out visible in any patient care area. So now, not only can we not sit our Steaming Coffee and Pizza on the patient's vent while we are suctioning them (kidding of course), we can not have a covered container or bottle of water at the desk. Nurses have been criticized for having their personal calendar out while checking their schedule!
We're told by management that WE were just way out of step with the world, and that no other hospitals allow covered drinks in nurses station areas- away from bedside.
So HELP- were we really the only hospital in the US that allowed nurses to have a drink of water at the desk, or is it standard operating proceedure to have staff run and hide in the staff lounge/report room or similar area for such activities at all hospitals now? thanks for all responses-