Is it ethical for hospitals to have Mickey D's on premises?

[SharonH, RN]

At the hospital where I am currently doing my clinicals, they have this luscious bakery. Doughnuts, cupcakes, regular 2-layer cakes, cookies, and on and on. Every time I pass it, my mouth waters. But it doesn't seem fair to me that they have this type of thing in a hospital for heaven's sake. Grady Hospital here in Atlanta has a McDonalds on the premises and they are not the only ones. And yes, it is not uncommon to see patients over there pushing their IV poles. If obesity is on the rise along with Type II diabetes and hypertension in our young people, and a hospital's stated mission has something to do with promoting health, then how can they seriously have these type of temptations right on the premises?

Yeah I know about personal choice, etc. etc. But honestly, it seems to me that they are setting up for failure those who are most vulnerable. At the very least, it's hypocritical. Your thoughts?

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

I've stood in line 15 min at CHOP's Mickey D's before with the sons, yes its a busy place. Just turn right past the front door of hospital. Hard to tell your child post test they can't stop there. Their salads have crisp greens and lot's of parents and some kids seen eating them.

It's amazing to have a young patient puking post chemo, be given meds then 30 minutes latter eating chicken nuggets or fries.

[Aneroo, LPN]

I think there is something wrong with the pic. However, those same folks can just as easily buy a greasy burger from the cafeteria (we don't have a McD's yet).

Maybe a Subway would be a healtier option? I would probably eat that every day! :)

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

Thing of it is, one can go to McD's and not order the Big Mac. A salad can be chosen, etc.

But i agree with the McD's 99 cent menu vs. the seven dollar hospital food.

[grannynurse FNP student]

Personally, I wish these places weren't settled at the hospitals. Yes, it is a matter of personal choice and all but something is seriously wrong with the pic. You are putting the temptation under the patient's nose.

Anyhow, remember these companies are powerful too and money talk (#*) walks.........

You raise an interesting point. I wonder how many of those, who do not take a position on this, would feel if Mickey D's showed up in their child's middle or high school. Coke and pepsi both have put vending machines, in both middle and high schools around the country. And finally school districts have begun to wise up. The problem is poor funding and lack of funding, that gives these large corporations.

Grannynurse

[nicunana]

Doesn't your hospital cafeteria sell cakes, pies, puddings, ice cream, brownies, french fries, potato chips, pizza, hot dogs, burgers & other junkfood? Ours does--so what's the difference? Besides price? We also sell salads, cottage chese, baked chicken, baked fish, fruit, milk and steamed vegetables. People who want greasy or sugary foods will get it one way or another. People who want healthier foods will choose accordingly at McDonalds, also.

[suzanne4, RN]

In the old days when working nights, this is what we had for food. Cafeteria was closed during the night.

And you actually have a bigger choice at some of the fast food places. You just have to make the decision as to what you want.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

You raise an interesting point. I wonder how many of those, who do not take a position on this, would feel if Mickey D's showed up in their child's middle or high school.

It showed up a half-block away from my HS. The McD employees drove some van with a hotbox in it that has cheeseburgers, hamburgers, and i forget what else in it.

I never heard of any parents that protested it, and even 122 years later, the local McD's is still showing up in the same place. I'd only chose to eat there once in awhile simply because fast food made me feel tired an hour later.

Keyword being "chose".

[BamaBound2bRN]

Is it ethical for ForProfit hospitals to take the money that they have received from medicare (our tax dollars) and donate it to Arnold Schwartzeneggar to fight laws duly passed by the People, for the good of the Public.

QUOTE]

I'm sorry, I didn't know it was unethical to participate in the legal exercise of the political process? Maybe I was asleep during that part of Nursing Ethics.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I think there is something wrong with the pic. However, those same folks can just as easily buy a greasy burger from the cafeteria (we don't have a McD's yet).

Maybe a Subway would be a healtier option? I would probably eat that every day! :)

Our cafeteria offers a lot of choice. Hamburgers, french fries and a lot of other unhealthy food. Very popular with the staff. I've been known to get a hamburger and fries myself from time to time.

Plus we give the patients choice.

I guess it's a good lesson in choice. We teach our patients to choose healthy food and put unhealthy food right in their face and say "choose"!

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Doesn't your hospital cafeteria sell cakes, pies, puddings, ice cream, brownies, french fries, potato chips, pizza, hot dogs, burgers & other junkfood? Ours does--so what's the difference? Besides price? We also sell salads, cottage chese, baked chicken, baked fish, fruit, milk and steamed vegetables. People who want greasy or sugary foods will get it one way or another. People who want healthier foods will choose accordingly at McDonalds, also.

Good point - we have a grill in our cafeteria and people can order hamburgers and french fries - and these are better tasting the MickeyD's any day.

I don't think it is unethical.

steph

[Q.]

I also don't think it's "unethical." I think it's easily viewed as odd that a hospital is home to a fast-food restaurant which traditionally is viewed as unhealthy, however, how is McD's any different than the cafeteria food? Isn't cafeteria food also "fast-food?"

If anything, McD's can be used as a great teaching aide in healthy food choices. They offer salads that are quite good and inexpensive. And, most people can handle a hamburger now and then. In fact, offering McD's at the hospital I doubt will cause a heart attack or some other demise in a patient; the disease process for them started long before McD's was available on the premises.

[Princess74]

We have a Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Subway, Burger King, and a icecream stand in one of our local hoapitals. Its just like a food court that you would see in a shopping mall.

People are going to eat what the want anyway. (A nice big salad bar would be nice though) As another poster said getting ANY kind of calories into sick children is the goal. When I had kidney surgery as a child the DR had my parents go to McDonalds and get me Big Mac's, it was the only thing I would eat. (I was 3)

edited to add: I think the bigger problem is in schools. Just look at the choices that the kids they have there. (sorry, a bit off topic)