You know the untouched left over food items on pt trays>

[NanikRN]

What actually happens to it?

I'm talking about the prepackaged fruits, puddings, applesauces, juices etc not opened foods. I see mountains of this go back to dietarty. Does it get thrown away if it's not from an isolation room? Actually I'm sure it all gets thrown away but is there a reason to throw unopened prepackaged non-isolation room food away?

I think about the waste if it is tossed and hungry people in shelters and get sad.

Anybody know?

[MouseMichelle]

in my experience yes it has to be thrown away for fear of it giving food poisoining. A huge waste yes but you have to be safe.

[NanikRN]

No, I get it about opened food. But what about for example those prepackaged containers of applesauce or pudding--completely sealed, no refridge required?

When those are on the pt trays, they also have no idea who has coughed etc on the containers.

Actually I was thinking about donations to food banks, shelters.

[morningmom]

Absolutely has to be thrown away everywhere I have worked. You never know these days with tampering. It sucks, I agree, but it is the way of life now a days.

Back in the old days when I was a kid..(LOL I have always wanted to say that) even at fast food places. If food went out the went in the drive thru, and it was wrong order...it had to be trashed. Even if it never left your eyes. (But it never was trashed..but it was supposed to be)

I would hope that hospitals were adamant about this procedure because you never know the mind set of the person who had the product prior to you getting it. In LTC, I can see it being less of a problem, but still......

Just my .02

[retiredlady]

Now, just think about it. Would you want something that another patient has had in their room? yuk!!!!!! I bet the poor people would not either!!!! If we knew a patient would not eat or drink it, we would take it off and put it in our refrig before it went in the patients room.

[K nurse-one-day]

It should absolutely get thrown out, even if it is prepackaged. If a pt coughs or sneezes on the package or on their hand , blows their nose, digs their privates, went to the restroom and didnt wash up, digs their nose, ect. and then they touch the food....then whoever gets the food next could get sick just from touching it.

It does suck that it gets wasted, but it seems to be the safest thing

[lillymom]

I think they should be able to give it to a homeless shelter since there is a real need for food there. I have worked in factories before and you would be suprised how dirty they really are and how many workers do very gross things with stuff that is supposed to be sterile. Not trying to gross anyone out but I'm just saying you never know about any food unless you grow it and make it yourself.

[*Kelli*]

Hospitals (in my state at least) cant even donate the untouched/unplated leftovers from the cafeteria because its to much of a liability. I know grocery stores can safely donate foods on/just passed their "best by" dates without being liable if someone gets sick, I wish more places could do something like that.

[Hygiene Queen]

Now, just think about it. Would you want something that another patient has had in their room? yuk!!!!!! I bet the poor people would not either!!!! If we knew a patient would not eat or drink it, we would take it off and put it in our refrig before it went in the patients room.

I've seen people pick their noses and scratch their butts while they eat.

The thought that the applesauce, while unopened, might have been touched by nasty hands is enough for me to say, "saving that would not be the Christian thing to do!"

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

What an age of luxury we live in. I get why leftovers are tossed, but if we had less we'd put more effort into saving food that was untouched. Theoretically you could wipe off most packages, and most non infectious patients are less of a threat than the general grocery store population. Anyone could have touched that produce or that can, whether it came from the hospital or not.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

I wonder what hospitals in other countries do - especially hospitals in countires where they are very impoverished.

[K nurse-one-day]

What an age of luxury we live in. I get why leftovers are tossed, but if we had less we'd put more effort into saving food that was untouched. Theoretically you could wipe off most packages, and most non infectious patients are less of a threat than the general grocery store population. Anyone could have touched that produce or that can, whether it came from the hospital or not.

Thats very true. maybe we should all discuss it with our hospitals

[caregiver1977]

Whenever I was in the hospital and had food that I didn't like (but it was something good, for example, a slice of cheesecake) I would save it for my husband and children if they were coming to the hospital anytime soon. If it was something that didn't taste good (which was surprisingly rare) I would just send it back.

If it was something I usually didn't like I would like to still have it on my tray because if my 5 children and husband are visiting chances are excellent that one of them will eat it. My children are always ready to eat. That's just me.