What do you all think of tele patients drinking coffee

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I am just asking, because a lot of people like to have that cup of coffee in the morning, but I am usually reluctant to comply due to the diuretic effect of caffeine, not to mention the fact that it makes the heart race sometimes. Also, giving it to patients on a fluid restriction seems counterproductive. Why give them their bit of fluid in the form of coffee? It just seems like common sense not to give coffee, but our hospital does not have a policy on this matter. What do you all think, or what do you do in your practice?

Thanks!!

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I am just asking, because a lot of people like to have that cup of coffee in the morning, but I am usually reluctant to comply due to the diuretic effect of caffeine, not to mention the fact that it makes the heart race sometimes. Also, giving it to patients on a fluid restriction seems counterproductive. Why give them their bit of fluid in the form of coffee? It just seems like common sense not to give coffee, but our hospital does not have a policy on this matter. What do you all think, or what do you do in your practice?

Thanks!!

What about decaffeinated coffee? Just wondering, are you sure that's not what's already been sent up? I've been on a tele floor once before, and they automatically sent up decaffeinated everything - coffee, soda, tea.

I'm with you, I don't think that'd be best on a tele floor.

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

We usually offer decaf to tele patients.

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What about decaffeinated coffee? Just wondering, are you sure that's not what's already been sent up? I've been on a tele floor once before, and they automatically sent up decaffeinated everything - coffee, soda, tea.

I'm with you, I don't think that'd be best on a tele floor.

I'm pretty sure it's reg. coffee. I also see them send up diet pepsi, and we also stock reg and diet shasta cola on the floor.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

People who are used to coffee get a bad headache if they are deprived. Not a good idea. Everyone might think it's a side effect from a nitropatch recently applied.

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There's always decaf unless they're addicted to caffeine. As for the fluid restriction, if the pt wants coffee to be included in that amount, why not let them have it? The fluid restriction is for the amount, not the kind of fluid.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Heme/Onc.
I am just asking, because a lot of people like to have that cup of coffee in the morning, but I am usually reluctant to comply due to the diuretic effect of caffeine, not to mention the fact that it makes the heart race sometimes. Also, giving it to patients on a fluid restriction seems counterproductive. Why give them their bit of fluid in the form of coffee? It just seems like common sense not to give coffee, but our hospital does not have a policy on this matter. What do you all think, or what do you do in your practice?

Thanks!!

Unless they are on a caffeine free diet as ordered by the physician, I will not withhold the pitiful excuse for coffee that we serve. The 8oz. cup isn't going to make too much of a difference to a stable, tele patient who has been drinking that same cup of coffee in the morning for most of their adult lives. A double espresso from Starbucks is another story though!

If the patient is so unstable that a cup of coffee will put them into a dangerous heart rhythm, they should be on a caffeine free diet - at the very least!

Blee

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There's always decaf unless they're addicted to caffeine. As for the fluid restriction, if the pt wants coffee to be included in that amount, why not let them have it? The fluid restriction is for the amount, not the kind of fluid.

Well, not let them have it because it provides no nutrition, and they could be having something that is far more beneficial to their well being.

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Unless they are on a caffeine free diet as ordered by the physician, I will not withhold the pitiful excuse for coffee that we serve. The 8oz. cup isn't going to make too much of a difference to a stable, tele patient who has been drinking that same cup of coffee in the morning for most of their adult lives. A double espresso from Starbucks is another story though!

If the patient is so unstable that a cup of coffee will put them into a dangerous heart rhythm, they should be on a caffeine free diet - at the very least!

Blee

One cup of coffee def. gets my body moving not to mention my kidneys, and I'm young and healthy.

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Specializes in Tele, Home Health, MICU, CTICU, LTC.
Well, not let them have it because it provides no nutrition, and they could be having something that is far more beneficial to their well being.

Many things we eat and drink have no nutritional value and we still eat/drink them. That may be what got them to the tele floor in the first place. However, it is not for me to tell a stable tele patient that they can't have their cup of regular coffee when they have been having it for years. What beverage are you planning on giving them that has nutritional value, besides meal replacement drinks? Juice is mostly sugar. Water is good but not everyone wants to drink water all day long.

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if the md isn't concerned, then neither am i.

most tele pts are being encouraged to make major lifestyle changes.

if anyone ever tried to take my meager 1 cup of coffee away, THAT would send me into vtach.

puhlease.

leslie

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Specializes in Emergency.

I know alot of facilities a cardiac diet excludes coffee, tea or colas in any form. De-cafe coffee contains upwards of 5mg of caffeine by the way. My current one is not in that group however as our cardiac lunch and supper trays seem to always have tea on them. I personally think that goes towards the withdrawal issue, just look at nurses, I will be the first to admit I am a caffeine addict.

Rj

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