Eat Before You Get Here!

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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:

Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.

Last night I passed out more sandwiches and juices and geaham crackers more than I gave meds or treatments

I was even asked is the only mustard you have for the sandwiches, dont you have any Grey Poupon???????

We have those generic Shasta sodas,,, pt complains that he can only have Dr Pepper,,,,, do I care???????

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Specializes in LTC.
Last night I passed out more sandwiches and juices and geaham crackers more than I gave meds or treatments

I was even asked is the only mustard you have for the sandwiches, dont you have any Grey Poupon???????

We have those generic Shasta sodas,,, pt complains that he can only have Dr Pepper,,,,, do I care???????

LOL. I'd be tempted to say, "This is a hospital, not a restaurant."

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I work in a very large hosspital in Los Angeles and we get a lot of very demanding patients. I had one man ask me if we served fresh squeezed carrot juice, 2 hours post-op? :uhoh21: Excuse me? This is a hospital..not Jamba juice!

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Had a guy yesterday...

31 y/o with cc of "shakes/chills/fever/disorientation-sudden onset

His story...

After I was up awhile this morning I got shakey and chills...then disoriented

So I left the house to "walk it off" (???????)

My neighbor took me in and called rescue

"Can I have something to eat...I'm starving?"

Ya know, he had me up until the food request.

The truth...

He was at the "neighbor's" up all noc shooting up his drugs

The last time (just prior to the call) was all the stuff that was left

"Neighbor" got scared at his "reaction" and called 911

By the time rescue arrived he was walking and talking, crazily, but talking...

And most importantly breathing again!

I tell my doc...I'll draw blood but no heplock...looks like he missed the last time he tried...I'm not helping him out!!

Of course he's Hep C...and whatever else...jaundiced as hell

White count over 20,000

Tender abdomen (now where's that liver again?!!?) :chuckle

He is swearing and screaming at everyone who passes his door

Of course, still screaming for food...

Nice try

Finally leaves AMA (wow, what a shock)

Signs the form and says...

C'mon, guess...

NOW can I have a tray?

Right...I don't think so

Hell, I don't even have to be nice to you now

Have a nice day!

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Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.

Welcome to the wonderfull world of ER nursing

gotta love it

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yea...ER nursing does make you appreciate the rest of your life!!!

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What am I missing here? Why does ANYONE have to be FED in an emergency room? If one is sick enough to BE in an emergency room, he or she just might need surgery--therefore, they need to be NPO! When did this trend start of having to bring trays on demand or pass our sandwiches, cookies, sodas, etc? What an incredible waste of money!

Is this food added to the patient's bill, or is is all just freebies? Part of hospital P.R.?

Of course, I guess the whoile point of this thread is the people who are NOT sick but use the ER as a convenience clinic, or as a place to get an easy meal. But is there a rule that says you must accomodate them?

Man, I'm glad I work in the O.R. I'd quickly lose patience with that kind of nonsense.

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i live in a community where people have very little money left over after they buy their cigarettes, alcohol, weed and meth to buy food with:rotfl: :chuckle :rotfl:

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:
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I like it when the families feel we are also responsible for feeding their children. We have a coffee shop, 2 vending machines and a cafeteria. Not to mention numerous fast food places surrounding the hospital. Wait, I forgot...you have to PAY for those. Or when the pt is there for abdominal pain, N/V/D and are instructed not to eat or drink and then you see them eating McDonald's. OR the lady with the 700 blood sugar whose children bring her KFC cuz and Hawaaiin Punch because " she is a diabetic and has to eat" even after you tell them not to ? What do you know...you're only a nurse!

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What am I missing here? Why does ANYONE have to be FED in an emergency room? If one is sick enough to BE in an emergency room, he or she just might need surgery--therefore, they need to be NPO! When did this trend start of having to bring trays on demand or pass our sandwiches, cookies, sodas, etc? What an incredible waste of money!

Is this food added to the patient's bill, or is is all just freebies? Part of hospital P.R.?

Of course, I guess the whoile point of this thread is the people who are NOT sick but use the ER as a convenience clinic, or as a place to get an easy meal. But is there a rule that says you must accomodate them?

Man, I'm glad I work in the O.R. I'd quickly lose patience with that kind of nonsense.

I agree with you wholeheartedly. I don't know about you, but when I am sick, the last thing I can think of is food. Technically, we are only responsible for feeding the admitted pts. But nowadays, people feel so ENTITLED and are so demanding and the ER is so abused that it seems as though we are feeding everyone who walks in the door. I was working last week and a woman who was there for asthma(NOT admitted) says, " EXCUSE me...I ordered food for me and my son an HOUR ago and I never got it," WTF? I didn't know who annoyed me more....the rude woman or the employee that ordered the trays for her AND her kid. And she was discharged 20 minutes later. Of course, we had to let her finish eating first. :angryfire

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Specializes in ER,ICU,L+D,OR.

Welcome to Dennys

Personally, I think they need a taco bell next to every ER

Not for me, I never eat Taco Bell. but for others

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Specializes in ER.
Denver Health (Denver General Hospital) has a McDonalds in the lobby, or had one the last time I was there. I do not know, however, who paid for the food. :p

At one time a hospital near me had a McDonalds as well in the lobby. Then, the Cardiac Surgeons and Pulmonologists took issue because it's a hospital for goodness sake......And fast food is the worst for both of those docs to deal with.....McDonalds is gone...yeah!!!!!! :yeah:

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