Debate about cell phones in hospitals.

[Lady's Human]

Let's start with a basic of medical care.

Anything that makes the patient more comfortable physically and mentally assists in the patient's recovery.

Communication with family helps the patient be more comfortable.

Communication with the family helps the patient's family (and by extension the patient) be more comfortable.

There is no electronic reason to ban them.

If you don't like cell phones in hospitals, there's a simple solution. Find a hospital that bans them, and go there.

You'll probably even be able to get a private room at a decent rate, as I don't think they'll have many willing patrons.

[sparks19]

Let's start with a basic of medical care.

Anything that makes the patient more comfortable physically and mentally assists in the patient's recovery.

Communication with family helps the patient be more comfortable.

Communication with the family helps the patient's family (and by extension the patient) be more comfortable.

There is no electronic reason to ban them.

If you don't like cell phones in hospitals, there's a simple solution. Find a hospital that bans them, and go there.

You'll probably even be able to get a private room at a decent rate, as I don't think they'll have many willing patrons.

So if it was an emergency you would call around to find a hospital that allowed cell phone use?

If you ended up in a hospital that didn't allow cell phone use would you request a transfer.

The hospital I am going to is very small and personal. They dont allow cell phone use... as I said it is a very tiny hospital. it is a half hour away but they offer better personal care than the large hospitals. (at least the ones around here)

See my problem isn't really the people that are AWARE that people around them are sick and what not and they can keep their voice down and their ringers off.... but that is not the majority of people. If everyone had the common sense to turn the ringer off and talk very quietly on a cell phone in a hospital I might not be so objected to it's use in a hospital. BUT too many people seem to be lacking that whole common sense thing and don't understand that not everyone wants to hear their favourite song blaring out of their phone... or how drunk they got last night lol. Especially when they are ill enough to be in the hospital. And since I don't think the Dr's should have to babysit people who don't have common sense... cell phone use should be restricted to private rooms or a cell phone designated area at the very least.

[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.

[sparks19]

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.

[Lady's Human]

Docs in a hospital don't babysit anyone but the patients they are helping.

There are many people on staff who have EXACTLY that job. Floor supervisors, orderlies, security....................


Both hospitals in this area allow cell phones inside. There are signs to "please turn off the ringer on your phone", but that's it.

I haven't seen any issues with cell phones in hospitals around here, despite spending entirely too much time in them in the last year.

[Karen]

You alternately make it sound like you want cell phones banned and you don't.

What you really want it for people to be responsible about using them, right?

I am always more in favor of people taking more personal responsibility, and less in favor of people trying to legislate against irresponsibility.

And what I meant is that you have never been the person responsible for an elderly relative, right? Not that I wish that on anyone, but I have been there, and done that.

[sparks19]

You alternately make it sound like you want cell phones banned and you don't.

What you really want it for people to be responsible about using them, right?

I am always more in favor of people taking more personal responsibility, and less in favor of people trying to legislate against irresponsibility.

And what I meant is that you have never been the person responsible for an elderly relative, right? Not that I wish that on anyone, but I have been there, and done that.

Well considering we are 9 hours away from any family.... It makes it kind of hard. Of course I always tell my momma that i will take care of her when she becomes elderly. and I will if she allows it lol.

But my feeling is that hospital staff aren't paid to follow cell phone users around to make sure they aren't being obnoxious with them (as we can all agree that many cell users are) so there should be some kind of regulation or they should not allow them in the hospital at all. I just don't see the need to risk disrupting people that are dealing with the same thing (or worse) surely you wouldn't want to be disturbed by them. Step outside... go to a designated cell phone area (if there were such a thing) and turn it off when you aren't using it or at the very least turn off the ringer. Like I said, I would feel terrible if my cell phone went off with a happy go lucky ringer while another family was sitting their torn apart.

I don't want cell phones banned entirely.... there ARE times when they are nessecary. But I just don't think whereever you feel like it in a hospital is appropriate.

LOL Wombat..... I would be disgracing everything Red heads stand for if I was complacent and agreeable LOL my husband always tells his friends that he doesn't dare mess with a redheaded Canadian chick... who is pregnant. LOL he makes it sound like I abuse him. I don't even raise my voice to him lol I just like to debate (or disagree, if you will)... it's fun lol

[Karen]

I think you are worrying needlessly. I have never seen that be an issue. And usually "when a family is being torn apart" they are in a private area, not a public one anyway, and frankly, probably wouldn't even hear the cheeriest of songs if it played next to their head.

[sparks19]

I think you are worrying needlessly. I have never seen that be an issue. And usually "when a family is being torn apart" they are in a private area, not a public one anyway, and frankly, probably wouldn't even hear the cheeriest of songs if it played next to their head.

I don't mean finding out someone didn't make it... I mean when they are in the waiting room waiting to find out what happened and why they are there. You know they are racked with worry... as would I be. Perhaps hospitals here are different... but where I am from... the waiting room is the waiting room and everyone gets stuck there waiting for news or waiting for one to get out of surgery. I certainly wouldn't want to be caught laughing during a phone call... I would feel like a schmuck.... BUT some people don't think that way and would laugh and giggle away without thinking that others around them might not appreciate the noise etc. So I think there should be a designated area for emergency cell phone use.... or a sign requesting that people that are waiting please go outside to answer a call from a friend that is calling to say hi. IMO.