How many is too many

[opus]

The hospital that I am employed at has promoted their unit as Family Centered. This seems great for advertising purposes, but they have never followed up on guidelines for the public. Consequently, we are constantly trying to work around crowds (anywhere from 2-12 or more) in the room while you are trying to admit a patient or in the hallways during the delivery or even in the room during delivery if it is a young girl. This seems so unprofessional to me that the hospital would allow this and it is very difficult to work around. Also, there seems that this would be a huge HIPPA violation. Is this the way it is around the rest of the country or is it just my area where the hospitals are all in competition with each other and are afraid they will lose business if they put limits?

[ernurse728, LPN]

Okay...I am not and L&D nurse...I am and ER nurse...but this thread caught my eye. As a woman who has delivered 2 babies in the past three years I do not understand why people want every person that they have ever met in the room with them while they deliver! My husband said from minute one that if you weren't there when we conceived the baby you aren't coming in when they are born...I don't care how "natural" it is...it is still me buck naked from the waist down! And as a spectator why on earth would you want to see that! Just my opinion.

[SmilingBluEyes]

I don't agree about the "conception" part; esp since so many of our patient's FOBs are no longer around....(sad in itself). I dont 'mind 2 or 3 there....but a roomful? Obnoxious. Customer Service takes a whole new meaning in L and D. And I HATE A Baby Story. But that is another thread.

[directcare4me]

About a year ago a good friend of mine who is a neonatologist was called to a labor room for an emergency; she was running down the hall and it was filled with people, sitting on the floor; as she was running through them someone streched out their legs and she fell, hard. Was able to go on to the delivery but was pretty sore for a few days. The visitor who accidentally tripped her was very embarrassed and contrite; but soon after that they decided at that hospital to not allow any "hanging out" in the halls. I don't know what their policy is on how many can be in the rooms. But the hallways are empty now.