Eat Before You Get Here!

Specialties Emergency

Published

WHY is it that as soon as people step one foot into the ER, they suddenly are overcome with hunger and thirst? Now I can understand if the patient is admitted and has been there all day and has eaten nothing. But I don't understand how when someone comes in at 10:30 at night they IMMEDIATELY ask for food and drink because they haven't eaten all day. They have had the entire day to eat.Its not my fault that they didn't eat at home. I don't know how many signs are posted stating "no eating or drinking until evaluation is complete". Then again we have I don't know how many RESTRICTED AREA signs and people ignore those too. The other day I needed to use a bedside table but there was a tray on it so I asked the young lady if she was finished. And she said(snottily)" THAT was lunch. I didn't even GET dinner, yet." She was NOT an admitted pt. Matter of fact she was discharged an hour later. Does this happen everywhere? :uhoh21:

In Baltimore the order is Pain meds, Bathroom, Food and Drink.:rotfl:

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One of our FF got mad at me because he always ate the same thing every time he came to the ED(Cheeseburger w/ pickles and mayo only, fries and a Dr Pepper) One time he came in and he got a Coke, and no cheese on his burger. He put on his call light, had me come into the room to tell me that he wanted an other tray ordered, "And this time get it right." :angryfire

I believe I said something to the effect of possibly he should go to Burger King the next time he wanted things his way.

So much for winning points with the "clients".

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Specializes in ER.

Good going Zudy:) Where should we mail your unemployment check?

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Mail it to Burger King, sounds good to me, canoehead.

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Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.

As a SN working her way thru nursing school by delivering pizza's for the hut, I hate to say we DELIVER to the ED! At Golden Corral yesterday for lunch (mother's day...what a dumb idea for lunch) we were seated next to a family of 10...everyone, including the 8 children, were obese as could be. Lost my appetite, waste of 10 bucks. -A

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Oh yes, does it ever. And to top it off, those pt's asking, or let me rephrase that, demanding food are the ones that come with abd pain or n/v. You want to ask them, where's your sign. (Stupid sign that is)

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Sometimes I'd just like to offer them a cup of "shut the hell up and get out of my ER!". But alas, I never do.

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I'm pretty sure it does already!!!

:rolleyes:

I mean.... the issue was (IMO)kind of speaking to ppl thinking there is dining services in the ER? Was it a value judgement on ppl who need to rely on state money to help them get care....?

Does it make a difference? Should we worry bout making value judgements and of painting ppl with a broad brush..? Just wondering.... not trying to get anyones ire up...

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I think they can use their foodstamps for McDonalds can't they??? Worked in a ER for years, so I can really relate to this post. O.K so am I school nurse now, kids come into the clinic c/o belly ache, then tell me 10 minutes later, I need to go now because its time for lunch! They are starting early! :chuckle

Wow...... i'm a little startled at this one.

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Specializes in Emergency Room/corrections.

I believe that somewhere in this society of needy, greedy, demanding people, there is a law that, upon arrival in the ER for that "emergent" sore throat or finger pain, then you must do the following:

1. ask for a meal. Everyone knows the ER is just like a fancy restaurant and serves the fanciest of gourmet foods.

2. ask for a drink with that meal, especially if you prefer ginger ale, the ER serves the BEST ginger ale.

3. demand a blanket. Some time during the next few hours you may need one. But then again maybe not.

4. Go pee. This is a very serious demand, especially if you are brought in to the ER on a back board from a low speed MVA.

5. complain that the nurses are laughing. OMG they should NEVER laugh. there are SICK people here. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: .

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Have noticed people with psycological problems have the worst kind of eating habits.

I have often wondered this one my self..... And what about the pt that are in sickle cell crisis.... I worked oncology, and we got those pt's on the floor occasionally and they were constantly on the light for sandwiches and snacks between meals ( not to mention their pain meds!) I was changing the linens one day of a sickle cell crisis while she was in the shower, and I swear she had sandwiches, crackers, dinner rolls, and other snacks in her bed!!! She had more food in that bed then I have in my whole kitchen!! :chuckle

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I mean.... the issue was (IMO)kind of speaking to ppl thinking there is dining services in the ER? Was it a value judgement on ppl who need to rely on state money to help them get care....?

Does it make a difference? Should we worry bout making value judgements and of painting ppl with a broad brush..? Just wondering.... not trying to get anyones ire up...

Relax Bevi...

Just a little humor...

Your post is very deep...too deep

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