Solutions for Drinks at Nursing Station?

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Drinks at the nursing station is most definitely a heated topic. Has anyone found a solution to this issue that both nurses and management are happy with?

At the hospital i'm at, we have kind of a decent sized backroom at the nursing stations; a lot like this picture

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For closed drinks; what about putting the drinks in a stackable sealed container like this?

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Stackable so they can be kept neatly on the side or corner of the back room and this way the drinking bottles themselves will never come in direct contact with anything "contaminated." If management is worried about the inside of the containers becoming contaminated through communal/repeated use, the solution for that could be using the disinfection wipes before a nurse puts her/his drink in there at the start of their shift.

Thoughts? Other ideas?

Specializes in LTC and Pediatrics.
Specializes in ER.

Incidentally, the original reason for no open containers is that if spilled, liquids can damage documents, computers, and other equipment. Then, over the years, that morphed into it being a huge health hazard.But, the only real hazard is that people inevitably knock stuff over.

Specializes in ICU.
Have you ever set a lab spec on the desk? there in lies the reason you are not allowed to have food and drink at the nurses' station. and its OSHA not JCH

That's gross. Who puts lab specimens on the desk?! They get labeled in the room, bagged, and put in the tube system. They should never touch the desks at all because there's no reason to stop at the desk.

Incidentally, if someone does screw up, I don't think that should prevent everyone from having food/drinks just because someone made a mistake once.

That's gross. Who puts lab specimens on the desk?! They get labeled in the room, bagged, and put in the tube system. They should never touch the desks at all because there's no reason to stop at the desk.

Incidentally, if someone does screw up, I don't think that should prevent everyone from having food/drinks just because someone made a mistake once.

That's what I am wondering....I never set a lab specimen on the desk. It goes straight in the bag and to lab or in a designated place.

"Associates" is a patronizing title that corporations give to low-paid workers like cashiers and sales clerks. It is an attempt to make the poor things feel important, while management is really jerking them around. Think Walmart...

:eek:

I don't like the word "associate" because of the first 3 letters...

Specializes in Cardiac, Ortho, Med/Surg, ICU, Quality.

I work at a Destination Hospital and yes every single employee at the hospital is called an "Associate" regardless of title. It is modeled after the Studer Leadership framework.

Specializes in Cardiac, Ortho, Med/Surg, ICU, Quality.
Wait...is associates a bad thing? I don't understand why?

No, "Associate' is a respectful title. All of our staff members are greatly valued from the janitorial staff to the CEO.

Dictionary.com:

a person who shares actively in anything as a business, enterprise, or undertaking; partner; colleague; fellow worker:

a companion or comrade:

Specializes in Family Practice, Mental Health.
No, "Associate' is a respectful title. All of our staff members are greatly valued from the janitorial staff to the CEO.

Dictionary.com:

a person who shares actively in anything as a business, enterprise, or undertaking; partner; colleague; fellow worker:

a companion or comrade:

Tell that to the local crew at Walmart........

Specializes in Family Practice, Mental Health.

How about this:

The Associate is going to be in to draw your blood shortly

You cannot eat yet because the Associate says you're going to have a test.

The Associate will be in to bathe you after awhile.

The Associate is here to put in your Chest Tube

The Associate is going to do your surgery at noon.

The Associate is here to pick up your lunch tray.

.........Your Associate is on break because he cannot have drinks at the nurses station.

Specializes in Cath Lab.

We have a "hydration station" where we leave closed bottles. This is where the ice/water machines are we use for patients.

Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.
I work at a Destination Hospital and yes every single employee at the hospital is called an "Associate" regardless of title. It is modeled after the Studer Leadership framework.

What is a "Destination Hospital"?

Specializes in Cardiac, Ortho, Med/Surg, ICU, Quality.

Sad that "@Nurse" is having a hard time understanding a professional culture.

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