What I learned about pillows and polish

I had my phone pre-assesment for my upcoming TAH on 9/28 and let me start off by saying "SOME" nurses ROCK!
I say some because last week I was ranting and raving about going to pre-op and learning NADA!! The hospital that I am going to is a big ole fancy smancy place that I thought I'd be impressed with but after pre-op I was really discouraged because everyone treated me like I was there to get a band aid.

Anyway.. the phone nurse told me that technology is updated enough to read through your nail polish and acrylic nails (so no naked nails or toes for me!!) and I asked about DH staying overnight and she told me EVERY hospital in EVERY STATE charges for pillows so make sure I bring him one in a brightly colored pillowcase. She said the staff will happily provide you with as many as you like (but they charge you for each one b/c they can not reuse them) SO, all the advice you've read about taking your own pillows now makes even more sense AND if you do use the hospital pillows - make sure to take them home w/ you when you are discharged b/c you've paid for them - but check with your individual hospital about the nails, don't just assume you have to be naked!

6 more days to the castle....
Pam

It is so strange how things are so different. I was not allowed to have any polish on at all. I looked at my itemized bill & I was not charged for pillows. I am glad I was not because I used many & didn't take any home. Good to know if it applies to you.

I've worked in hospitals and pillows are available in the laundry room? Unless things have changed in the last year pillows in hospitals are reused. Maybe in some units they are disposable but not on units I've worked. It should be interesting to see other responses. I have no idea if I was charged for pillows during my stay after LAVH but I know I ended up with a bed full to help with positioning and pain control
Every hospital seems to be different.

The CDC's regulations on sterilization of hospital equipment don't even mention pillows. Hospital pillows are meant to be re-used; there are washable types and types covered in vinyl that can be wiped down with sterile solution. Here's a link to one supplier's selection:

http://www.governmentuseitems.com/medpillows.htm

I've been in the hospital several times over the past several years, and the only pillow I ever left with was a small flowered tummy pillow that was handed to me as I was rolled from the recovery room into my room; I was told that they're made by a volunteer group there as gifts for patients.

In 2004, there was a big to-do over in England about a hospital that had a pillow shortage... they said that about 120 pillows a month were disappearing and presumed taken by patients. I would definitely not encourage anyone to walk out with hospital pillows unless they've been told that it's OK. Besides, hospital pillows tend not to be all that comfortable, at least in my experience.

Also, I've been told every single time at pre op appointments not to wear fingernail polish or artificial nails, although I have been allowed to have polished toenails. Every hospital is different, and it's important to honor the rules at whichever facility is performing the surgery regardless of whether or not we agree with their reasons.


-Linda

Good point about confirming whether or not your entitled to the pillows - avoid a very embarrassing moment.
It would be great if all hospitals had the same equipment so the finger nail polish question could be answered definitively
I for one would rather they know I was low on oxygen over a matching set of nails.
Wishing everyone a speedy recovery

It is completely untrue that EVERY hospital in EVERY state charges for pillows. I have worked in 4 different hospitals in CT and not 1 charged for pillows. So please sisters DONT take the pillows from the hospital unless you have talked to the nurse about if they are disposable or not.

Thanks for the clarification ladies!
Correction- my nurse here in a large hospital in ATLANTA says they charge for pillows and I am allowed to take them home....everybody else needs to check!

Pam,
We will be having our surgery on the same day.....one week to go!
Pat

I had my hysterectomy in December, 2008 in Mobile, AL and I was able to have toenail polish. Dunno about pillows, and I dont paint my fingernails so not sure there

I was not charged for my pillow OR the one my husband used while he slept in the room with me. I don't know about the nails or polish.