Where do the damn pillows go?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.

Seriously. I don't know. I just know they are worth their weight in gold in hospitals.

Two nights ago, central supply brought up a huge bag of them. I saw it with my own eyes, and I lit up like a Christmas tree. WE HAVE PILLOWS!

Tonight, a patient asked me for a pillow. I very confidently said, "I'll get you one. Give me a minute."

Off to the stock room I go. No pillow in sight. I asked one of the CNAs. She would certainly know where the pillows are, right. Turns out that when they came up two nights ago, she grabbed them and hid them in the closet of one of the rooms. She told me where they were because we get along like that.

Again, I feel on top of the world. I KNOW WHERE THE SECRET PILLOW STASH IS!!!

I put my hand in the closet, and all I came out with was an empty bag. The one that held all those wonderful pillows two nights ago. *****!

Why do pillows leave and never come back? I seriously don't understand the life cycle of the almighty hospital pillow.

Enlighten me. Please.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

They go the same place that the blood pressure cuffs go.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.
They go the same place that the blood pressure cuffs go.

Yes, they must. We have those awful wall things that never have an extension long enough to actually reach the patient. Doesn't matter anyway...the cuffs are missing in half the rooms. :cool:

ETA: While my previous post is a bit tongue-in-cheek, I do wonder why they never come back. Do they get used, then upon discharge, they have to get disinfected, and they have a reunion of sorts in central supply until someone breaks up the party? We have cleaned, made beds with no pillows on them. Not sure if someone has stolen it or replacing the pillow isn't part of the bed-cleaning routine.

Finding pillows becomes a prospecting expedition. And, I do indeed feel like I struck gold when I've found one.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

They go to the 50 million family members that camp out in the rooms at our hospital. When you figure this out, please let us know where all the socks from our dryers go!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

The idea of stealing a hospital pillow skeeves me to no end. Why would anyone want one?

But yeah, I think they wind up with family members or the bed sore risks who need padding and support all over. I had one patient with seven pillows - all completely necessary.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What a wonderful memory you have elicited.

I worked out patient surgery. If it slowed down in the afternoon a CNA and I would sneak like thieves in the night through out the hospital and find, steal, re-take, pillows. Our department would order and label our own, which of course soon disappeared.

We didn't take them all. If they were labeled for our unit we would take them. If they weren't labeled and we were really short we would bring our own marker and put our dept's. label on them.

Sorry, we never found your lost socks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

When this happens on our unit, I usually find one or two patients with about ten pillows apiece in the room. You know- two for the head, one for the feet, two for behind the back, one for each arm and a couple for every family member who is visiting.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.
The idea of stealing a hospital pillow skeeves me to no end. Why would anyone want one?

I don't think they're "stolen" as in they leave the hospital. That is pretty skeevy. Who knows though. I've seen a couple discharges clear everything out. Literally EVERYTHING and family asking for more bags and "supplies," to boot. (I'm sure postpartum nurses most likely have a few horror stories about that...) Anyway, I conveniently forgot the extras request and moved on to the next patient. ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

They end up under every body part of an ICU patient. Seriously. i was never pillow happy. But a few nurses used to feel the need to put 6 pillows ATLEAST under her patient. One for the head, one for each extremity, 2 for the back, 2 under the feet..... good lord.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

They are with all those socks lost in the wash!!!!!

I actually have an answer. EMS. When a patient gets transferred out to another facility, hospital , or test....... they take pillows. Everytime they bring a patient to the ED.....they take pillows. If they bring 2 they take at least 3 to replace. But missing and lacking pillows are a National Crisis..:lol2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
They are with all those socks lost in the wash!!!!!

I actually have an answer. EMS.

I was going to say, the paramedics take them!:D

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I use 2 pillows under my legs when I am in my recliner!

Some hospitals have gone to disposable pillows - - "Take them with you, we are going to throw them away".

But some people take them anyway, even the not-so-disposable ones.

Ask housekeeping what happens to the pillows!

And yes, some patients need 6-8 pillows for propping. I know that I will!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment