Yes, you can have ice

[boringscreenname]

I work at a hospital as a security guard. One evening I was sitting in our Main Lobby keeping an eye on things.

A woman came over and asked me where an ice machine was, so she could get a cup of ice. I told her there was one in the cafeteria, but it was closed, and I offered to get a cup of ice for her.

She says ok and off we go on the elevators. On the way down, she starts talking about her husband who is a patient up on one of the floors. Suddenly I had a sort of light bulb moment. I ask her if she asked any of the nurses or the nurses' station for a cup of ice. She says no, and asks if they would actually give her a cup of ice, considering she's not a patient. I tell her that they have ice machines, and next time would be more than happy to get it for her.

Not sucky or anything, but still kinda amusing. If I'd known her husband was a patient in the first place, I would've just told her to ask the nurses. But oh well it only took me a few minutes to grab a cup of ice for her, and now she knows for next time.

[Amina516]

That is odd..

I don't have an issue giving someone ice/water but we arent supposed to give non-patients food or soda for obvious reasons (freeloaders).

[boringscreenname]

Oh yeah I understand about the no food or pop, but water and ice are no big deal. The woman had a can of pop and was just looking for some ice for it, totally understandable.

[Marmalady]

I don't have an issue giving someone ice/water but we arent supposed to give non-patients food or soda for obvious reasons (freeloaders).

What about mothers of babies who are patients?

I don't know if the policy varies from one hospital to another, but when my son was hospitalised at 5 weeks old (not for long thank heaven), because I was breast feeding him I was given a pass to the nurses canteen and could go have meals for free.

[greek_jester]

I don't know if the policy varies from one hospital to another, but when my son was hospitalised at 5 weeks old (not for long thank heaven), because I was breast feeding him I was given a pass to the nurses canteen and could go have meals for free.

Probably because they were (indirectly) feeding him this way - after all, you couldn't produce the milk he needed without your own fuel, could you? And after all the campaigns over the last few years over the benefits of breast feeding babies over bottle feeding...

[Amina516]

What about mothers of babies who are patients?

I don't know if the policy varies from one hospital to another, but when my son was hospitalised at 5 weeks old (not for long thank heaven), because I was breast feeding him I was given a pass to the nurses canteen and could go have meals for free.

Parents of patients on the pediatrics floor get one free meal ticket, per patient, per meal. Thats it. Everyone else can pay for their food. It honestly cuts down on the bullshit I have to deal with. Im not here to wait on non patients in between medication passes.