It seriously makes me twitch when babies are in any hospital room besides the one where they are born. Especially tiny infants! Do people not understand that the hospital is full of sick people, some with MDROs that could kill that baby in an instant?!
When I see they're just visiting, I'll grit my teeth and wait until they leave. If the visit gets too long, or they and their parent try to spend the night with the pt (yes this happens to me a lot), I tell them they can't stay. Invariably they have no ride home by that time (I'm night shift) but I tell them after tomorrow, no more baby, and I explain why.
Some understand. Others whine that it makes Grammy feel soooooo good to see the wittle angel!! Sheesh. Does Grammy really wish her wittle angel harm?
CPS is overwhelmed with people who beat their children, don't feed them, or sell them to pedophiles to get their next fix. Let's not further tax their resources, taking away services from children who are TRULY in danger, by calling them for every dumb choice someone makes.
You think such children are not in danger? Parents who are not at it in the head to realize where they can or can not leave a child?? Seriously? How many children are left in cars? Are left home alone? Allowed to wonder the streets?
When children are abandoned, it is CPS who should be called. A child left at a hospital is ABANDONED. IF persons who work in the hospital are Automatic Reporters, I do not see how they can not report this to the authorities. THey are required to do so.
The parents know that some adult will step in. I've seen it more times then I would like. If it is a children's event that I working, I will inform the parents that next time CPS will be called. If I am told by others that it happens all the time with the child, I call CPS. Anyone who is considered an Automatic Reporter should REPORT all cases of ABANDONMENT. Which is why I asked why they were not called.
BeachsideRN, ASN
1,722 Posts
Oh no. When I had mastitis and a 105 degree fever I made my husband take me to the ER and stay in the car with our 3 week old.