Bed-Sitting Bans "Demeaning"

[The Straight Story]

Bed-Sitting Bans "Demeaning"

March 17th 2010
Patients are being treated in a "demeaning" fashion by hospitals that ban doctors and visitors from sitting on their beds, a senior GP says today.Patient in hospital bed.

Bed-sitting bans are the latest in the hospital drive to reduce infection rates - but according to Dr Iona Heath, there is no hard evidence for them.

Even flowers should be allowed back in - to bring "joy" to patients, according to Dr Heath.

Bans are even imposed when patients are dying, she writes in the British Medical Journal.

She writes: "Rules that mostly diminish the joys of life rather than enhance them, unless absolutely necessary, have no place in hospitals where joy is too often in short supply.

http://www.staffnurse.com/nursing-news-articles/bed-sitting-bans-demeaning-3957.html

British hospitals: No sitting allowed

By MARIA CHENG (AP) – 1 day ago

LONDON — Britons trying to cheer up their hospitalized friends and relatives often have to do so standing up; sitting on the bed usually isn't allowed.

In a commentary published Wednesday in the British medical journal BMJ, Dr. Iona Heath argues the recommendation is unjustified and denies patients the chance to be close to their loved ones.

British authorities claim the ban on sitting is needed to prevent patients from getting infected by visitors and health care staff.

"Don't be tempted to sit on the patient's bed," warns the Peninsula National Health Service Treatment Centre in Devon in guidance on its Web site. Hospitals throughout Britain have similar advice, in addition to banning fresh flowers.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jw4lGyKvXIhfbwiGJb_ZvkSjzX3QD9EG1NRO0

[LiberalFighter]

1. They don't provide chairs?

I visited my dad in the hospital in emergency, ICU, and after he was stable last week. Each time they had chairs. Sometimes they were hanging from the wall to keep out of the way when in use.

[NYC_SKP]

2. Great Britain? I could make a joke relating dental to anal hygeine, but I have friends there.

So I'll let that go.

:P