It's a bloomin' outrage (U.K. hospital bans flowers)

The Sun (U.K.) ^ | January 26, 2005 | GUY PATRICK

[Stoat]

It's a bloomin' outrage

Leaf it out ... Rochdale Infirmary has
banned flowers from its wards
 

By GUY PATRICK

STUNNED pensioner Fred Bracegirdle was banned from taking flowers to his wife in hospital — in case they gave her an infection.

He was told floral gifts were forbidden on wife Muriel’s ward because water in vases may contain harmful bacteria.

Frederick, 80, said last night: “It’s daft. I was simply visiting my wife to cheer her up following an operation. The flowers cost me quite a few bob, but Muriel only got a brief glimpse of them.

“I’ve never heard anything like this before. I was amazed.”

The Women’s Royal Voluntary Service, which mans gift shops and trolleys in hospitals, said the ban at Rochdale Infirmary, Greater Manchester, was extremely silly.


 

Health hazard ... flowers
 

 

A spokesman said: “This sounds like it is about staff finding it inconvenient to change the water.”

And an Age Concern spokesman added: “It’s ridiculous — they’ll be banning grapes next.”

A spokesman for Rochdale Infirmary said: “There is a background of concerns about the bacteria that could be carried in the water.”

A spokesman for the local NHS trust said: “We’re sorry but hope the gentleman understands cutting potential risks of infection has got to be a priority.”

Yesterday The Sun told how the Patients’ Association had unveiled a ten-point code aimed at improving hospital hygiene to stamp out the killer virus MRSA.

[Stoat]

Related:

Clean hospitals' code for patents(U.K. to reqiure patients to supply own soap and toiletries)

[beaversmom]

Why don't they just ban people--they carry germs too.

[Stoat]

Why don't they just ban people--they carry germs too.

Shhh!  You'll give them ideas!   :-)

[Lurker]

This one actually makes some sense.

While flowers are lovely, the last thing one wants in a room with a patient recovering from surgery is a bowl of water filled with decaying plant matter.

There are enough nasty little microorganisms in the air. It makes no sense to introduce another possible source of infection to a patients room.

Sorry to be a wet blanket.

L

[kenth]

I don't know why there was a fuss to the point of someone writing an article. Sounds like they have their priorities straight, looking after the health of the patient.

[rwardSC83]

Do you think they have autoclaves at the door instead of metal detectors? Everything that comes in that door has harmful bacteria...... :-)

[Stoat]

I would tend to agree if there was any link between flowers and airborne bacteria. Nosocomial infecions (infections acquired in a hospital) are typically from failure to follow accepted hygeine protocols, and usually acquired as a result of improper and direct contact i.e. improper handwashing, improper cleaning of instruments, failure to use gloves properly etc.

It's sounds a bit more like overreaching and hysteria to me. I'll be all for the ban if I can see a solid causal relationship with flowers.

[this_ol_patriot]

Why don't they just ban people--they carry germs too.

That's not such a bad idea, since I work in a hospital I see firsthand the snotty, sneezy, cold sore laden "guests" that come to visit patients who are there to get well. They can visit them at home but of course they won't, there seems to be something about sick hospitalized people that draws the crowds.

[Stoat]

Do you think they have autoclaves at the door instead of metal detectors? Everything that comes in that door has harmful bacteria...... :-)

Exactly, and they have infection control protocols which take the place of autoclaves.  They work quite well when they're followed.  Unfortunately, sometimes they're not and in this case it looks like they're looking for a scapegoat.

[rwardSC83]

S.O.S.D.D.

[this_ol_patriot]

I suppose I should clarify that. I'm not talking family members but people who would never give a passing thought to the patient ordinarily for some reason have to visit them when they are sick in the hospital. Sometimes those rooms look like they are having a party and sometimes they are.

[rwardSC83]

Isn't it funny how that works? These are sad times were another person's pain and suffering draws more attention than the person themself

[Gorzaloon]

I see no problem here. The way the National Health works, store the flowers in a cool place. They will be needed for the funeral, anyway.