Quote Originally Posted by Karen
I carry a cell phone and rarely use it. However, if a loved one was taken to the hospital, and I was there with them, I'd rather have the option to go to a quiet spot and use the cell phone there to notify and family members, and or contact clergy.

Sparks19, maybe you and everyone in your family is healthy, count your blessings for that. Have you never had to promise an elderly relative, "Yes, Auntie, I will call X and Y and Z as soon as I get home, I promise"? That was in the days before cell phones. If I had been able to call them right that minute, she would have been less upset. Have you never dealt with being in a hospital room that doesn't have a phone assigned to it yet? How nice it would be to be able to call home using a cell phone instead.
Read my last post

While my family is actually quite healthy I do have VERY elderly grandparents and one is on her way for a hip replacement at 86 years of age. My grandfather has had a few heart attacks... it is amazing he has lived to be almost 90... My grandmother died of liver cancer at 54.... my uncle has had multiple heart attacks.... my great grandmother had diabetes... but she also lived to be 89.

I have no problem with going to a quiet area to make your call.... and like I said.... I just don't think part of a Drs job is to babysit the people who can't use a cell phone respectfully so there should be a designated cell phone area to do so where you will not run the risk of disturbing anyone. I know I would feel terrible if I were to get a call on a cell phone that played "you are my sunshine" or something right in front of a mourning family.