Fresh water supplies on the ward......

Former Member

Whilst receiving treatment at St Marks Hospital, Harrow, Uk, a Center of Execellance, (where the j pouch was pioneered)
I'm being encouraged to drink plenty of fluids.

Although the basic plastic bed side water jug is replenished with fresh water 3 times a day, within a matter of minutes the water loses its freshness, coldness, & its taste and falls to room temperature, which is currently very hot, especially on a hospital ward without air conditioning and I'm very reluctant to drink it.

So, how is water served to a patient bedside in the U.S ?

Or does an air conditioned ward make all the difference.

6/19/147:43 AM

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Scott FMember

In the US ice is generally added - plenty of ice. And yes, air conditioning makes a big difference.

If it helps, try to think of the water as medicine, rather than a refreshing beverage that isn't being served properly.

6/19/148:13 AM

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rachelravenMember

Same way. But my hospital is air conditioned.

You can request bottled water here when you have a diet. Some people's families bring in the water the patient likes, too.

But yes. A pitcher of water with ice is generally brought to you at the start of each shift.

6/19/148:15 AM

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Former Member

Thanks for all replies.

I had a vision that the US would have a system far superior, not so difference after all but air con probabay makes a huge difference.

However, to rehydrate, my Doctors suggest I drink a glass of milk every two to three hours, which is served ice cold and fresh to my bedside whenever I ask.

6/19/1411:46 AM

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ShainyMember

I'm surprised they haven't given you the st marks solution to drink

6/19/145:46 PM

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MysticobraMember

I asked my wife to bring a case of bottled water to my room.
I was in there awhile.
I cannot imagine being in there with no air conditioning!

6/19/145:52 PM

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clz81Member

I just came back from a vacation to Europe, and one big difference I found is that most countries I visited in Europe don't serve drinks with ice. I think the vast majority of Americans have to have drinks with lots of ice. Thus, having the water served with a whole pitcher of ice keeps the water cold for hours. I didn't seem to have any issues getting lots of liquids to the room whenever I asked.

6/19/146:05 PM

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Former Member

Yeah, St Marks milk shake type drinks been prescribed initially but didnt like taste of any of them, they too were severed at room temperature.

The last hospital I was in many yrs ago, fresh water replenishing regularly but same issue occurred, although, I was in private room which had a refrigerator.

6/20/142:59 AM

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JaypeaMember

Get up. Get out of bed and walk to the water and ice dispenser! I know this is impossible for the first 2 days post-op but other than that you need to be up and around as much as you can. Getting fresh water could be great incentive.

6/20/1411:52 PM

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Former Member

Currently in the UK, we're experiencing a very hot summer we seldom get and not just me but everyone within the wards, including the staff are all complaining to the longevity of the water once replenished, so I wonder whether a more suitable system had been implimented within hospitals located in much hotter countries, such as the US.

When watching US Tv shows, water coolers are often depicted within offices or the high school enviroment, it'd certainly not a reality in the UK and it is only now, with some exceptions that offices provide water coolers for staff.

When I initially posted my question I was on a High Dependancy Unit and forbidden from vacating my bed.

I'm on a ward now and I am able to walk around, there's no water or ice dispenser to walk too, it's the UK remember.

6/21/149:49 AM

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