The state made a weird request

[angeloublue22, BSN, RN]

I work in a new medical detox. We are attached to a long term recovery house that has been around for 9 years. I helped open the detox and wrote the protocols because our supervisor is a social worker and knows nothing about the medical aspect. We opened 6 months ago and we just had our first state survey and passed with flying colors which is awesome. Then the state surveyor made a weird request. When the state surveyor spoke with the clients, they complained about the staff being able to drink coffee and bring in outside food for themselves when the clients can't. No big deal right? Well, apparently it is a big deal to the state surveyor who has now requested that it be implemented that employees are not to drink coffee or bring in fast food because it upsets the clients. Does anyone think this is ridiculous? Has anyone ever heard of this?

[dishes, BSN, RN]

Are the staff drinking the coffee and eating the outside food in front of the clients?

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

Very strange-call the State office and ask if this is an acceptable request

[Psychcns]

Very odd. I guess you could designate one area as a break room. I think workers have rights for breaks.

[elkpark]

I haven't ever encountered that as a state rule -- but I've worked plenty of psych settings where staff weren't allowed to eat or drink in front of the clients anything that the clients weren't allowed to have. So, if the clients aren't allowed to bring in outside food, staff aren't allowed to flaunt food from outside in front of them. (It's mean.)

[angeloublue22, BSN, RN]

Are the staff drinking the coffee and eating the outside food in front of the clients?

We have no break room so we have our coffee at the nurse station. We also usually only have one or two staff members for up to 16 manipulative clients. We go back to another tiny office to eat. In order to get there we have to go through the day room so everyone sees what we are carrying.

[chare]

We have no break room so we have our coffee at the nurse station. We also usually only have one or two staff members for up to 16 manipulative clients. We go back to another tiny office to eat. In order to get there we have to go through the day room so everyone sees what we are carrying.

Yes, it is a "big deal." How would you feel if someone was eating or drinking in front of you?

[dishes, BSN, RN]

Does the staff's right to consume coffee and outside food overrule the clients right to be free from exposure to the forbidden foods? If so, in what way?

[Psychcns]

You have to put the clients first on this one..don't let them see what food or beverage you are carrying. Maybe you will have to start going out for breaks, at least for a while ..

[MunoRN, RN]

You don't allow them coffee or outside food, but you then sit there in full view of them while you enjoy your coffee and outside food? That's a dick-move. I would hope anybody who comes through and witnesses that would point that out; surveyor, visitor, client, etc.

[SubSippi]

Put the coffee in a less coffee-like container. There are lots of thermos type things that look like something you drink water out of, but also work for hot drinks.

I think it's probably not that big of a deal, or the state inspector telling you this wouldn't be news.

But you know more about taking care of patients who are detoxing than most of us do...do you think having coffee at the desk hinders the recovery process? If no, then I don't see an issue. Patients aren't necessarily guaranteed the right to not be annoyed.

[FlyingScot, RN]

Forgive me but is there something detrimental in allowing de-tox patients to have coffee?