Thursday, May 01, 2014

Hospital Food + A Complaint

We have all heard the jokes or made our own about hospital food. When mr. kenju was hospitalized with a stroke, I thought his meal trays were somewhat appetizing, but my one experience this time was not so terrific. 

As the catheterization was not scheduled until 3pm, it was decided I could have some liquids and jello. I had eaten only a salad since before 4pm on Monday, so by 9am Tuesday, I was painfully hungry and thirsty. I was brought jello, instant decaf coffee (yuck) and a cup of chicken broth which tasted like manna from the Gods, or so it seemed. The next food and drink to  pass my lips was served at 7pm that day. The tray had been brought at 5pm, but sat in the room until I was allowed to eat it. It consisted of stale, wilted fresh spinach (with a packaged dressing I can't eat), beef tips and mushrooms in gravy over noodles the consistency of desiccated worms and a side of broccoli so over cooked it was brown, not green.
No bread or butter or dessert was given. 

Since I was hungry enough to eat the proverbial bear by that time, I ate the beef tips and noodles. One bite of that concoction would have given me gas for a week - and I ate the whole serving. This made it impossible not to pass gas with every motion for hours after that. I know....TMI. 

The complaint arose after a maintenance man decided that 1:30 am was a good time to buff the floors in the cardiac unit. What kid of idiot does that? I had just gotten to sleep about 12:30 am, and being rudely awakened by the sound of a floor buffer was not helpful. The wax smelled like fresh paint - which makes it sort of hard to sleep - in addition to the noise. I am tempted to write a note to the head of the hospital about it. Sleep opportunities are always lacking in a hospital anyway, but losing sleep due to a floor buffer is totally unacceptable. 


11 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a terrible experience. Sadly, it sounds so much like every experience my mother has had in the hospital. I often say I'm going to write a letter detailing the outrage, but I don't. The reason I don't is because I'm afraid that I'll inadvertently identify her as the patient and thereby make any subsequent visit even worse. I sure wish hospitals took better care of their patients. I'm glad you are home.

oklhdan said...

Sorry your hospital stay wasn't restful! The food didn't sound very appetizing! Did you lose weight?

Thumper said...

O.o

I'd say something. Whoever made the decision that a waxed floor trumps patient rest needs a come-to-Jesus moment with the Patient Advocate...

Sorry you had to be there in the first place, too...

Granny Annie said...

Now Judy, settle down:) There is never a good time in a hospital for chores to be done. Someone is ALWAYS trying to sleep somewhere. When would they ever get the housecleaning done?

If you want delicious hospital food, check into the St.Francis Hospital in Tulsa, OK. You get to order your meals when you want them and you can even order a meal for a guest ($10).

By the way, I don't like the idea of you being in the hospital for any reason! Hope all is well.

Nancy said...

So Sorry that you have to be in the hospital, Judy, and too bad your first food was sitting around for hours before you could eat it.

When Roy was in the hospital last, they had a whole new system of food delivery. It was all Room Service. You called whenever you were hungry and ordered what you would like and it was delivered to your room ASAP.

It is probably the same system that Annie mentioned is happening at St. Francis in Tulsa.

Hope you are feeling well now. We are thinking of you....

Ginnie said...

Damn, Judy ... I was lax in reading blogs and missed all the stuff you've been going through. I did wonder if you'd be coming down this way and should have checked earlier.
I agree about hospital food altho I'll bet your daughter who is at First Health might tell you that you can get about anything there. I was impressed with the food when I could finally eat.
Please keep in touch and yell is you are coming this way.
Hugs, Ginnie

Peruby said...

I think I would have strangled him with the yellow electric cord.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

I will never understand the thinking of the people who run Hospitals.
One would think that by the 21st Century they would have the 'Food Thing', figured out!!! But no....it's STILL the worst!!! And the idea of cleaning and waxing at 1am is just Nuts! It's like they don't acknowledge that people are in the Hospital because they are sick and need to sleep and eat to help them get better! What a nightmare Judy....!

I wish you could be here in L.A., too! Maybe one day, my dear.....

Gilly said...

My gosh! UK Hospital food is supposed to be awful (though I think its fine at our hospital) but that sounds like the menu from hell!

Hope you get better quickly and can come home to your own food!

Pat said...

Hopefully you didn't pick up any infections whilst you were there. That seems to be the greatest hazard.

lee said...

so sorry you were ill!

ever had a nurse wake you up to give you a sleeping pill?

yes, it happened!