vip floor in a hospital

Nurses General Nursing

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what is a vip floor in a hospital? what does this mean? thanks in advance!!

OMG....between MDs and RNs and lawyers as patients, not sure who's worse- but an intern has to be up there with the worst-- knows enough to be useful, but not how to use it !!

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Most large NYC hospitals especially those in Manhattan have either VIP floors, beds, wings or some sort of combination. Lenox Hill hospital comes to mind.

It's pretty much like everyone has stated above, accomodations can range from plush to extravangant (for a hospital), with a low nurse to pt ratio and in some cases almost like doing private duty. Some places have designed such VIP rooms that there are adjoining suites for family to stay, and or a business person's staff (assistant, secretary, etc) can use as a office so His Nibs can continue running the world from his hospital room.

IIRC some hospitals try to turn such suites into "universal beds" in that rather than moving the VIP patient, everything (for the most part) is there in the room, however that presents certain challenges to the nursing service as how to find a "universal" nurse.

Still all and all don't think we should begrudge hospitals for such rooms. I mean if persons are willing to pay vast sums to be away from "the people", and it helps provide financial stability.....

In GB and other countries with universal health schemes there are private doctors and or hospitals for those whom wish to be cared for outside of the government system and are willing to pay.

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If they have that much money, get together and build their own hospital- then those who don't mind healthcare hierarchy can be free to work away from those of us who would rather work with Medicaid and Medicare, or just plain old insurance patients, who generally are less hassle and more thankful for what they do get...IMHO.

The 'elite' patients probably wouldn't want to be so close to 'rif-raf' anyway- :)

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If they have that much money, get together and build their own hospital- then those who don't mind healthcare hierarchy can be free to work away from those of us who would rather work with Medicaid and Medicare, or just plain old insurance patients, who generally are less hassle and more thankful for what they do get...IMHO.

The 'elite' patients probably wouldn't want to be so close to 'rif-raf' anyway- :)

Er, um, just who do you think pays and or has paid for most of the hospital construction in this country?

Wealthy persons and or their familes have built and continue to fund new construction of hospitals, wings, and other healthcare settings as well as donating towards the equipment. Just look at all the names plastered on buildings, doors, walls and so forth for hospitals all over this country. Indeed walking up York Avenue here in NYC from about East 62nd street to East 72nd street is a Who's Who of the rich and powerful. Starting with Rockerfeller all the way up to Weill Cornell.

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Then those hospitals should be good enough for them..... either do it for the 'gift' of doing it, or don't, but don't expect to be bowed down to for having that kind of money- good for them that they either had it handed to them, or worked really hard... but there is no room for arrogance and special treatment. Donations should not have strings..... and plenty of community hospitals where some VIPs go are not their private retreats (or for real medical treatment) were not built with their wallets..... have dealt with VIPs who were wonderful, and didn't demand a**kissing.....and then there were the rest.

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Specializes in FNP.

I have worked in places with VIP rooms and had a few VIP pts (old money, actors, athletes, a senator, a governors wife, a mob boss and various and sundry wall street types) over the years. Most of the time they were very pleasant and not a problem.

I don't have an ethical problem with the fact that some people inherit or earn more money than other people and that their resources buy them privacy, comfort and amenities not available to other people. That's life.

I do think all people are entitled to a minimum standard of health care at no charge (ie. universal health care for everyone) but that isn't what American's want, so I have to accept that. Regardless, the fact that some will always have more is not a problem for me at all.

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Agree-- no ethical problem with why they have money.....just how they behave with it.

And, as a nurse, I was taught (thankfully) that someone with money isn't inherently worth better care.... Again- if they want to pay, go to a private hospital where other patients don't have to do with less because of better staffing, equipment, etc....

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We have a few VIP suites on the top floor. It costs $1200/night, and it buys you a private nurse and room service with food that's NOT on regular menu.

For our unit, the VIP suite is used once every couple months. Usually it's the wife of a professional athlete or wealthy CEO.

It kind of messes with our staffing because we have to pull one of the nurses to take care of just that mother and baby. She can't leave the unit, and sits at a small desk outside the suite. Whenever we have someone in the VIP suite, none of the nurses want that assignment.

If it's a maternal floor why not? Most people are only there 2 days unless there are issues. If I was rich I would want extra attention as those early latches can be tricky;)

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what if it's a med-surg floor, and the VIP came in for an uncomplicated appy....while a door, or floor away, a public aide patient is there with worse staffing, and a complicated diabetic foot ulcer, pneumonia, TIAs, and on dialysis (from Type I- so no assumptions that it's due to some "self-induced" obesity-related Type II, that people love to judge).... who NEEDS more care? If a VIP wants pampering, there are a lot of spas.... hospitals are not concierge services (at least they shouldn't be....it's about health- not convenience). JMHO

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I have worked in places with VIP rooms and had a few VIP pts (old money, actors, athletes, a senator, a governors wife, a mob boss and various and sundry wall street types) over the years. Most of the time they were very pleasant and not a problem.

I don't have an ethical problem with the fact that some people inherit or earn more money than other people and that their resources buy them privacy, comfort and amenities not available to other people. That's life.

I do think all people are entitled to a minimum standard of health care at no charge (ie. universal health care for everyone) but that isn't what American's want, so I have to accept that. Regardless, the fact that some will always have more is not a problem for me at all.

Exactly!

Far better these persons are cared for in a "public" hospital where the funds generated from "VIP" rooms add to the hospital's bottom line as opposed to private duty home care and or building their own exclusive hospital.

Don't laugh about the last bit, there used to be more than one "high end hospitals in NYC including Manahttan caterng to the rich and famous. Leroy Hospital on the Upper Eastside was one.

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That truly depend on how you look at it. If your rich and at home you can hire personal nurses , it would be the same as in the hospital. I think if the patient brought in his/her own nurses and took your job away that would be worse then hiring a nurse that already works there. If anything is worth wasting money it's better healthcare, some people spend 1000's on stupid purchases such as hugely overpriced purses.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

I actually got into a verbal sparring with one of our VIPs. He was in the ICU but didn't need it, just wanted "more attention." He was furious when I wouldn't rush out of the code I was running on his neighbor, a homeless fellow who died despite our efforts. He heard all that went on. I walked in his room after a very messy postmortem. Wanted to make sure he was ok before I shaved and finished making the now deceased neighbor clean and presentable. He screamed "I've been waiting FOR THIRTY MINUTES to get some HELP in here!" I explained that I was assisting the patient next door. He screamed back "You are SO STUPID! I bet you don't even know what VIP means!" I replied "I sure do! It means whatever patient needs me most at the time, whether that patient is homeless or the President. This time, your neighbor was the VIP."

What did the VIP NEED so urgently? Lemon for his hot tea. He asked that I not care for him anymore. I asked the same. Both wishes were granted and we were both pleased with the outcome.

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