topic Re: WASTE IN HOSPITALS in Community Spirit

WASTE IN HOSPITALS

newstart2380 — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 06:34:21 GMT

I recently returned a pair of crutches to the local hospital which took some time and effort (not complaining) to be told they don't want them back as they are used. These crutches were used for 2 days and although i respect that some may and I stress MAY be returned in bad condition those which are returned in pristine condition should be cleaned and re-used. Crutches and other similar items may cost in excess of $50 to provide so why not use them again where possible ?

Re: WASTE IN HOSPITALS

lurker17260 — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 06:41:14 GMT

That's crazy. What state are you in? What a silly waste of money.
We've had various pieces of gear like crutches, shower chairs etc over the years and have always had to return them. Once we had to get them couriered from Canberra to the south coast.

Re: WASTE IN HOSPITALS

newstart2380 — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 06:44:47 GMT

@lurker17260 wrote:
That's crazy. What state are you in? What a silly waste of money.
We've had various pieces of gear like crutches, shower chairs etc over the years and have always had to return them. Once we had to get them couriered from Canberra to the south coast.

In NSW but that is no excuse, we the tax payer provide these necessaties in public hospitals and they should be re-used where possible. I think I will write to my loacl MP (good luck to me) and complain about the waste of tax payers money GRRRRRRR

Re: WASTE IN HOSPITALS

the*scarlet*pimpernel — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 06:52:33 GMT

We had to pay for hubby's crutches, and I think we had to pay for the leg brace too. That was through the public hospital system.

I wonder if St Vinnies would want them.

Re: WASTE IN HOSPITALS

purple_haize — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 06:54:21 GMT

They take them back here and so do the chemists.

You should take the crutches to the rehabilitation places, sure they would take them.

Re: WASTE IN HOSPITALS

amber-eyed-girl — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 06:54:52 GMT

That sounds very unusual. I agree with you, what a waste. Maybe the person you spoke with didn't know what to do with them?

and were too lazy to find out!

Whenever any crutches etc. were needed here, they were hired from the hospital for a small fee and returned.

Re: WASTE IN HOSPITALS

purple_haize — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 06:55:49 GMT

I am in Victoria, my son in law works in a rehab. hospital and they are always looking for these items as they are low on them.

Re: WASTE IN HOSPITALS

cherry*135 — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 07:14:31 GMT

That does sound very unusual...

Re: WASTE IN HOSPITALS

newstart2380 — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 07:31:11 GMT

@am*3 wrote:
That does sound very unusual...

agree but sadly true, i was very disappointed and angry

Re: WASTE IN HOSPITALS

just_me_karen — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 07:33:56 GMT

Donate them to Vinnies instead of being angry and writing letters.

There is obviously a good reason if they're refusing to accept their return. Perhaps germs or OHS.

Re: WASTE IN HOSPITALS

freddie*rooster — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 07:35:37 GMT

@amber-eyed-girl wrote:
That sounds very unusual. I agree with you, what a waste. Maybe the person you spoke with didn't know what to do with them?

and were too lazy to find out!

Whenever any crutches etc. were needed here, they were hired from the hospital for a small fee and returned.

Did you ask why? Was this a big Hospital or a Country Hospital?

I wouldn't get rid of them, you may end up with a please explain letter.

I wonder if the person who would normally handle this was being relieved whilst she was at lunch, and the relief person was being lazy, knowing the missing crutches wouldn't reflect on her.

Re: WASTE IN HOSPITALS

cherry*135 — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 07:39:18 GMT

Are crutches made of aluminium (metal) now? If so, you think they could be cleaned.

Did you get them from the Physiotherapy Dept or some other Dept?

Re: WASTE IN HOSPITALS

newstart2380 — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 08:02:42 GMT

@just_me_karen wrote:
Donate them to Vinnies instead of being angry and writing letters.

There is obviously a good reason if they're refusing to accept their return. Perhaps germs or OHS.

I did not write letter ????, I took them back to the local hospital in good faith thinking they might appreciate me taking them back as someone else may need them and they could be sterilised and re-used.

Waste of my time and if I had known they were not to be used I would have left them in the carpark.

Re: WASTE IN HOSPITALS

amber-eyed-girl — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 07:47:09 GMT

I wouldn't donate them until confirming they do not need them back.

give them a call and check, making sure the person knows what they are doing (as best as you can)

that will just take a little time, just to be sure.

I am surprised you did not have to pay a deposit, too. That is normally what happens...:( anyway, best to doublecheck in case you get a bill later.

Re: WASTE IN HOSPITALS

*mrgrizz* — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 07:54:38 GMT

@just_me_karen wrote:
Donate them to Vinnies instead of being angry and writing letters.

There is obviously a good reason if they're refusing to accept their return. Perhaps germs or OHS.

has every right to be angry

if the hospital gives out 1000 sets a year at $100 each that is $100 000 per year

how many procedures would that pay for?

of course they should be re used

do we have single use operating theatres due to germs?

Re: WASTE IN HOSPITALS

boris1gary — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 08:02:18 GMT

@newstart2380 wrote:
I recently returned a pair of crutches to the local hospital which took some time and effort (not complaining) to be told they don't want them back as they are used. These crutches were used for 2 days and although i respect that some may and I stress MAY be returned in bad condition those which are returned in pristine condition should be cleaned and re-used. Crutches and other similar items may cost in excess of $50 to provide so why not use them again where possible ?

very odd indeed, my younger brother just returned some to a local NSW hospital where he was required to do so.

Re: WASTE IN HOSPITALS

cherry*135 — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 08:05:17 GMT

I would think that if the hospital gives patients being discharged equipment (like crutches) to take home they would make it clear before you left the hospital whether they have to be returned or not.

Re: WASTE IN HOSPITALS

cosmosgrove — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 08:07:24 GMT

Ok, the comment I was commenting on was edited while I was commenting.
That was odd, think I'll back out quietly now....

Re: WASTE IN HOSPITALS

newstart2380 — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 08:25:51 GMT

cosmosgrove wrote:

Ok, the comment I was commenting on was edited while I was commenting.
That was odd, think I'll back out quietly now....

That's life LOL

Re: WASTE IN HOSPITALS

freakiness — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 08:29:37 GMT

@amber-eyed-girl wrote:
That sounds very unusual. I agree with you, what a waste. Maybe the person you spoke with didn't know what to do with them?

and were too lazy to find out!

Whenever any crutches etc. were needed here, they were hired from the hospital for a small fee and returned.

Yes, same here.