Drinks in the nurses station...

Weeping Willow · Dec 28, 2007

It's really amazing that people who can't seem to get meal and potty breaks are also kept from having a beverage nearby to quench their thirst.

I do understand about protecting computers, papers, and clothing and I do think everyone should clean up after themselves. But I also plan to keep my water or coffee right by me as I have always done. If management wants to make sure I have time to rest, rehydrate, and eat, then I'll let them make me get rid of my beverage.

MaryPush · Dec 28, 2007

joint commission doesn't care about drinks in the nurse's station as long as their covered. if anyone says no, it's osha, and we're allowed them. management will use joint commission as the excuse for any rule they come up with.

occupational safety and health standards

bloodborne pathogens

[color=#003399]1910.1030(d)(2)(ix) [color=#003399]2006 - 05/17/2006 - requirements for covered beverages at nurses' stations.

eating, drinking, smoking, applying cosmetics or lip balm, and handling contact lenses are prohibited in work areas where there is a reasonable likelihood of occupational exposure.

occupational exposure

means reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that may result from the performance of an employee's duties.

is there a reasonable likelihood of occupational exposure at your nurses station? if the answer is yes, then osha says no. osha does not tell anyone what they can do, only what they can't do.

chocokitten · Dec 29, 2007

We are allowed to have drinks at our nursing station, but we have to hide them when IC comes around (aka the "pop cop"). We rarely have spills and everyone cleans up after themselves and others. It's the docs that leave their coffee lying around uncovered :/

I know one day I was on hour 11 out of 12 and I had discharges and admissions back to back (I work on a tele/step down unit) plus a busy patient load. Our admission assessment includes a 45min-1hr long questionaire. I was nodding off! It was a choice between having a pop to keep me caffeinated or me sleeping on the keyboard. lol. Not something I would normally do, but you do what you gotta do!

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Dec 29, 2007

A little OT, choco, but when I read your post & saw 'pop', I knew you had to be either from Michigan or Ohio. I have family up that way; it is beautiful.

Ok, back to drinks....

MaryPush · Dec 29, 2007

(aka the "pop cop")

pop cop, hee hee

abbaking · Dec 31, 2007

Administration said the same "JCAHO" shpeel to us, but it didn't make any sense to forbid drinks in a nurses station that also contains the ice/water machine, coffee maker, and refridgerator full of juices!!! Just another ploy from administration to make our lives that much more hellish. I actually did say to the Nurse Director that He should comply with this rule too, and leave his Venti Starbuck's Upsidedown Caramel Machiaddo in the breakroom and not on his desk. He got quiet REALLY fast, LOL!

:rotfl::rotfl: :devil:

mcknis · Jan 1, 2008

Finally got an answer from my NM. She advised me that the reason for not having drinks in the nurses station was for environmental concerns. Few years ago they conducted a study in the nurses station and swiped for MRSA and several other pathogens. Results were outstanding. MRSA was found on phones, keyboards, chair rails, desk tops, and pagers/cell phones (work ones). SO now...no more drinks.

wooh, BSN, RN · Jan 1, 2008

Finally got an answer from my NM. She advised me that the reason for not having drinks in the nurses station was for environmental concerns. Few years ago they conducted a study in the nurses station and swiped for MRSA and several other pathogens. Results were outstanding. MRSA was found on phones, keyboards, chair rails, desk tops, and pagers/cell phones (work ones). SO now...no more drinks.

Did they swipe the breakrooms too? And the cafeteria? And the NM office?

mcknis · Jan 2, 2008

No, cause that would alter their results! Why on Earth would they do that? LOL

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Jan 2, 2008

Hey all,
Are you allowed to keep drinkin your nurses station at work? If so, any mandates around it? I am pushing to be allowed to have drinks in the station and need some info on how to do so.
We have been told continuously by our NMs that JCAHO says no-no to this practice, but I have not been able to find any info regarding this at all. Closest place we can keep our drink is at the other end of the unit in a staff meeting room (about 200' from nurses station). If you can pass on a little bit more advice, please do so.
_________________________________________
Little background on why I am pushing for this...
The other day I assisted the security staff in restraining a combative pt. I felt fine running down to help and even during the whole situation, but I vagaled down after the incident was over. I went to the ER and to our Occ Health specialist, but of whom confirmed the I just vagaled down and had a near-syncopal episode. They mentioned the reason why i probably went down was because I needed to push more fluids and just did not have enough on board.

We've always been allowed to have drinks at the nurses station. They have to be down on the desk, not up on the ledge. They have to have a lid and have to have a first or last name on them. No problems ever in 32 years

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Jan 2, 2008

[color=#003399]2006 - 05/17/2006 - requirements for covered beverages at nurses' stations.

question: is it against osha regulation to keep a covered beverage at a nurse's station in a hospital?

reply: osha does not have a general prohibition against the consumption of beverages at hospital nursing stations. however, osha's bloodborne pathogens standard prohibits the consumption of food and drink in areas in which work involving exposure or potential exposure to blood or other potentially infectious material takes place, or where the potential for contamination of work surfaces exists [29 cfr 1910.1030(d)(2)(ix)]. also, under 29 cfr 1910.141(g)(2), employees shall not be allowed to consume food or beverages in any area exposed to a toxic material. while you state that beverages at the nursing station might have a lid or cover, the container may also become contaminated, resulting in unsuspected contamination of the hands.

the employer must evaluate the workplace to determine in which locations food or beverages may potentially become contaminated and must prohibit employees from eating or drinking in those areas. an employer may determine that a particular nurse's station or other location is separated from work areas subject to contamination and therefore is so situated that it is not reasonable under the circumstances to anticipate that occupational exposure through the contamination of food and beverages or their containers is likely. the employer may allow employees to consume food and beverages in that area, although no osha standard specifically requires that an employer permit this. osha standards set minimum safety and health requirements and do not prohibit employers from adopting more stringent requirements.

aj1973 · Jan 8, 2008

Wow - I never thought this would be such a big issue. I don't know that I have ever worked on a ward where you can't have water bottles, or your morning cup of coffee in the nurses station.

Where I work now (ICU) we all have our drinks in our rooms, at our desks with us. Surely you're not expected to go up to 4 or 5 hours before your break without a sip of water? That's just crazy!! Most of us also (on nights) have our food in the rooms with us as well - I have to graze when I'm on nights to keep myself awake, and I've never had anyone say anything!!

There are also always chocolates or biscuits given as gifts on the nurses station for everyone to share as well, and as far as I know IC have never had anything to say about this at all.

I've also NEVER EVER heard of not being allowed to put lipstick or lip balm on!! I find my lips get incredibly dry working in the airconditioned environment, and I touch up probably 5-6 times a day!