I didn't know this actually happened

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 25, 2006

Let's just remember, unless we are in another person's shoes, we have no true idea what he/she is going through and what the situation really is. I know we all get sick of seeing what appear to be obvious abuses of the health care system (I am included). But I would like to see this thread remain a "venting" to "get it off my chest" thing without resorting to volleying attacks at each other in the process. I think we can all do that, with a bit of effort.

And as always, if a thread offends you, you have the option to bypass or ignore it. Same goes with specific posters. There is an ignore poster function on allnurses.com if you feel one particular poster offends you too much. Great features to "keep the peace" abound here.

valifay · Oct 25, 2006

I think you need to consider her situation before you call it a wasted call. You don't know her story...maybe she had a fast delivery with another child, or had been in labor for awhile, or had noone available to drive her. Or she could have had a condition in which her doctor advised her to do so. You never kow. I know some people will call 911 for little things that aren't emergencies, but a new mother may think her water breaking is an emergency...you never know. JMO...

eden · Oct 25, 2006

I am a nurse and do have many a woman on social assistance as patients and I think that anyone( regardless of financial status) may not know what is an emergency. You do not know, in their heads whther they thought it was an emergency or not. It may not have been an emergency but if they are uneducated then it is our job to educate them.

I understand why those on social assistance would loot the crib. It's hardly like they are living high on the hog. My friend is disabled and as a single person she gets $400.00/month for rent,food and all other expenses and it's not much more for someone with a child. Social assistance gives very little money and while I don't think they should raid the crib, I DO understand why they do it.

I get treated worse by those who are well off finacially because they think they can buy whatever regardless of need. We had a patient whose baby was required to stay 7 days. They went to the hospital president and bought the room for the week despite the fact that our maximum stay is 48 hours, we do not have insurance so rooms cannot be bought and we took up a room for a week, never mind that we had to discharge people early because we needed the bed she was taking up. Now that is abuse of the system

33-weeker · Oct 25, 2006

the reason the raiding of the crib bothers me is that so many of these women are unemployed (it's on their facesheet) and breastmilk is not only free, but better for baby. they are not working - they could breastfeed. wic provides consultants, pumps, etc.

and, they do it in such an unerhanded way - thinking we don't notice - even calling until different nurses pick up to ask for more and more.

newborn diapers don't fit for that long either - why stock up on those?

we give them a gift pack at discharge, and will give them a little extra box or two of formula if the weather is really bad, their baby is on special formula, or they have some other legit reason to need extra. i'd rather somone just come out and say they are in need.

but even in that case - we have a wic program that will give them formula for free, if they will just get off their bums & make the appointment and go. they can get it started before the baby comes. often times the reason is laziness. we see a lot of moms who qualify for medicaid, but don't bother to go sign up. then they will even turn around and give that as a reason for not getting prenatal care! :uhoh3:

33-weeker · Oct 25, 2006

i understand why those on social assistance would loot the crib. it's hardly like they are living high on the hog. my friend is disabled and as a single person she gets $400.00/month for rent,food and all other expenses and it's not much more for someone with a child. social assistance gives very little money and while i don't think they should raid the crib, i do understand why they do it.

true for the honest people who are reporting all the household income, but many have learned to cheat the system and do so without any moral reservation.

Mrs.S · Oct 26, 2006

true for the honest people who are reporting all the household income, but many have learned to cheat the system and do so without any moral reservation.

just curious, where are you getting these ideas?

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 26, 2006

Like I said, we have no idea what is in another person's heart and why they do the things they do. I don't think people who "steal" the crib contents or food do so necessarily without moral reservation. I do think some are desperately needy. Others may feel they are entitled to it, as they know they are billed for it (even if they are on the "system", in their minds, it's been paid for and would maybe go to waste if not taken). I mean, I don't kow the myriad reasons people do what they do. But I think if they are THAT needy, then maybe I should just feel glad that I am not! I try really hard to withhold harsh judgement in these cases. I Have been close, when my son was a baby. We literally lived paycheck to paycheck and there were tough times. And yet, even then, I was doing well by many standards. I had plenty to eat, a decent little house to live in and stable income as we were military.

I can't say I know without a doubt people don't feel bad when they take things they can like formula and food. There is a sense of entitlement that is rather pervasive in our society today----but I see this pervading all economic levels---even well-off people who feel some "need" to get any "freebie" they possibly can. Like I said, they probably feel entitled somewhat do to the belief they will be billed anyhow---or that it's meant to be taken, unless told otherwise.

OB_or_NICU_hopeful · Oct 26, 2006

smilingblueyes ~ Thank you :) I wanted to say something to the effect of what you did, but knew that I wouldn't be respected for it. But your comment of "But I think if they are THAT needy, then maybe I should just feel glad that I am not!" is key for me. Honestly, I grew up with these very kind of people that are being spoken about on this thread. Not everyone is highly capable and resourceful. BE VERY THANKFUL that you (general you) can and want to work hard in life!!! You could be very bitter about a lot of things in any given day, but it's much nicer (and feels so much better) to just look at the bright side :)

CEG · Oct 26, 2006

just curious, where are you getting these ideas?

Not getting involved in the argument as most people I see here on public assistance are hardworking people or immigrants who are doing what they can to survice. My patients are usually very grateful for the care I have given, rich or poor.

But a common way the system can be manipulated is by remaining single. Mom doesn't marry dad, dad doesn't officially live with mom, and mom can collect welfare. Meanwhile dad may have a good job and live with the family. This is how many people on welfare driving Expeditions manage to do this.

EmerNurse, BSN, RN · Oct 26, 2006

Had a patient once a few years ago in for a med-surg type thing with her legs. Completely AAOx3, insisted on a private room and got it, insisted her 19 yo daughter stay with her and was given a cot for the room, the kid raided our kitched to the point we had to change the code to get in (she'd watched until she learned the old one). They'd order in food they liked for each meal, but insisted on a tray for mom AND daughter, collected all the little sodas that came with the tray in trash bags. When she was discharged, she had TWO giant-sized trash bags full of cans of soda and juices she took with her. Said it was hers but she didn't drink it when it came so she could take it home. Nevermind that whenever she wanted a soda or juice, dd was in our kitchen helping herself to the "cold" ones.

Abuse - entitlement - youbetcha. Bah

Mrs.S · Oct 26, 2006

Like I said, we have no idea what is in another person's heart and why they do the things they do. I don't think people who "steal" the crib contents or food do so necessarily without moral reservation. I do think some are desperately needy. Others may feel they are entitled to it, as they know they are billed for it (even if they are on the "system", in their minds, it's been paid for and would maybe go to waste if not taken). I mean, I don't kow the myriad reasons people do what they do. But I think if they are THAT needy, then maybe I should just feel glad that I am not! I try really hard to withhold harsh judgement in these cases. I Have been close, when my son was a baby. We literally lived paycheck to paycheck and there were tough times. And yet, even then, I was doing well by many standards. I had plenty to eat, a decent little house to live in and stable income as we were military.
I can't say I know without a doubt people don't feel bad when they take things they can like formula and food. There is a sense of entitlement that is rather pervasive in our society today----but I see this pervading all economic levels---even well-off people who feel some "need" to get any "freebie" they possibly can. Like I said, they probably feel entitled somewhat do to the belief they will be billed anyhow---or that it's meant to be taken, unless told otherwise.

Exactly! THANK YOU for this wonderful post!!

33-weeker · Oct 27, 2006

we must just get more patients who manipulate the system in ob than in other places in the hospital. without a doubt there are many single, unemployed mothers who obviously have more income than just what public assitance provides. i've watched it day after day for the better part of 16 years. i'ts hard not to form a sour attitude when you are a member of the 'working poor', who pay the most taxes but get the least in return.