I Threw Away Your Drink

[Tweezer93]

Come discuss life's mysteries...

Why does my manager through my food and drinks away?

[ginger58, ASN, RN]

If they're in the work area she may think it'sc not professional. I think JAACHO(doesn't look right to me) or some organization that says no food or drink at the station, or it's hospital policy.

[loricatus]

I was told that OSHA requires that STAFF have no OPEN drinks or food in patient care areas. Where exactly are the true patient care areas? Think that depends on management interpretation. And, how come patients can have open beverages and food in the very same areas staff cannot?

I bring a zippered tote bag and sometimes a cooler and place it somewhere out of direct sight. I unzip it and take swigs throughout my shift. I also bring an empty soda bottle to pour any coffee in that I buy at work, since coffee cups won't hold together in the tote. At times, I'll just put my soda or coffee where the docs pile them-management hasn't yet touched the docs drinks.

Someday, I might just get the nerve up to toss the coffee that's sitting on the manager's desk while she is making her rounds to toss others' drinks.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I have a nurse manager who throws drinks away. She threw my 32-ounce soda away on a hot summer day and it really pissed me off, because I went through plenty of effort to obtain that soda!

[bethin]

Why did my manager eat my lunch that had my name on it? When I called her on it she lied. She was sitting down in the break room. I went back to warm up my lunch and noticed it wasn't there. I turn around and she's eating my food!!! She didn't say it was a mistake, she said that it wasn't mine. Hmmm, my full name and date were on the lid next to her. She drank the pepsi that had my full name on it. How could she not notice? I told her she owed me $5 for it but she refused to pay. I asked her how she liked my spaghetti and she said it was very good. :devil:

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

We usually give a notice: All food and beverages in the fridge will be thrown away at 12:00 Thursday. If people insist on leaving food and drinks in there against the rules, it's at their loss.

[bethin]

We usually give a notice: All food and beverages in the fridge will be thrown away at 12:00 Thursday. If people insist on leaving food and drinks in there against the rules, it's at their loss.

We have the same rules. All food and drinks must have names and dates on it or it will be thrown out regardless if it smells or not.

[Mrs. M.]

We don't allow drinks, even covered, at the nurses station. We have little kitchen areas where the patient food is stored, and if the nurses want to leave their covered drinks in there, it's okay.

[marieparn]

I know in our state the Dept of Health can site and fine a hospital 3,000. for an open container at the nurses station. We only allow drinks in the "daY" room or the kitchen area.

[DEB52]

We have rules of no eating or drinking at the desk and the nurse servers. I don't throw them away but I do move them and ask who they belong to. We are to have these things only in the employee lounge.:biere:

[LydiaNN]

I have no idea why your manager does this, but I do wonder why you don't just ask. All the theories posted thus far, even the little piggy that steals food, are possible explanations, but you'll never know unless you ask her.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

I've seen too many cups of coffee at the nurses' station get tipped over on charts, reports, lab results...you name it. Most of the nurses know they aren't supposed to keep that stuff at the station. There are plenty of places to get a drink if they need one. I had one nurse try to keep her coffee on the med cart with her..she'd sip it as she poured meds! How many regs did she break????

I will tell them once or twice to get rid of their drinks..or at least put them in the back room. Then I throw them out if they still leave them out. And NOTHING is allowed in the med room fridge except medications. I've seen sodas,mayonaisse,salad dressing...you name it they'll try to keep it in there.