So the hospital has this major new initiative to standardize care and operations (whatever that means). Part of it is cost reduction of course.Stuff like use of toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, wash basin, lotion, etc. I'm not sure how to take this. We are supposed to discourage the use of toothbrushes and deodorant to save money? Apparently you are supposed to check with the patient to see what they brought from home. Maybe give them a little push to get the family to bring in their own stuff? Kind of a BYOT (bring your own toothbrush, deodorant) BYOD type of situation? Fortunately, I don't have to worry about this stuff in the ER.
Right now there is a very large poster thingy in our staff lounge about linen. How much each piece we use costs the hospital. Apparently changing beds daily, unless they are soiled is a no-no now. I always thought that was one of the nice things we did for patients, but that's out. Draw sheets - OUT. ONE BATH BLANKET PER PATIENT AND THAT'S IT!! Those who sneak a second blanket will be written up!
Most of this doesn't affect us in the ER, but I see the future. If that patient didn't soil their sheet on the cart, don't change it - use it for the next patient! The blanket warmer will be eliminated. These patients need to man up damn it. Only one blanket per customer. Let those cold old people freeze, equal blankets for all. Maybe we could start at BYOB campaign to encourage potential ER patients to bring their own blankets. Pretty soon emesis basins will be gone. Let them vomit into the wastebasket damn it. This isn't the Hilton for cripes sake. Footies - GONE. Lunch -GONE. Okay maybe you can have those things but you are going to have to pay up front:
Extra blanket = $5
footies= $2
Lunch = $10
emesis basins = $1
CASH ONLY. WE DO NOT ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS OR CHECKS.
WE DO NOT MAKE CHANGE.
Maybe we could have a first class patients section sort of like the airlines - pay a little extra and you get as much of this kind of stuff as you want....
7 comments:
Hmmm, you may be on to something. I could make a cart, roll 'round the ER and sell stuff, like toilettries, blankets, sodas, food.
I could get RICH!
Where I work, the hospital hasn't provided toothbrushes or other toiletries for several years...they only provide soap. What has happened is staff members are bringing in leftover toiletries from hotel visits and spending their own money to have a "stash" of toothbrushes for patients who don't have their own. For a place that is so focused on "patient satisfaction" I think this is an incredibly poor practice.
We also have signs up about linens only being changed certain days of the week, but they call it being "green". Of course if being "green" cost money we wouldn't be doing it. $$$ is the real reason.
I can see the end of "stocking" hospital rooms with these supplies like a hotel room. I remember being hospitalized as a teenager..and I ended up with five open bottles of little mouth wash. There can be alot of waste. I can even see the end of new sheets everyday (if you are not soiling them).
Any place in which the staff brings in hotel supplies? wtf
Please tell me that sheets and blankets will washed after each patient. It could create some unsanitary conditions. I will miss the blanket warmer. I remember the blankets being more of glorified sheets; very thin and not very warm. I'll make a note of needed items in case I ever need to go to the hospital.
One lice/scabies/bedbug exposure from the stuff a patient brings from home will show the foolishness of this penny pinching.
How about enforcing only one CAT scan per month or only 2 MRIs per year for the same complaint? No pregnancy tests in the ER? Sending people with meaningless chest pain home instead of admitting them and doing normal stress tests?
Just wondering.
Huh. I saw the last detailed ER bill for when my 19yo daughter was in a car wreck. two blankets for use b/c they cut her shirt off and had nothing to be discharged in: $134.00. Evidently you folks are way behind not charging for these.
Me again--anonymous where staff brings in hotel toiletries.
Linens are changed between patients and if soiled--I didn't mean to imply they weren't.
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