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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think mobile phones in hospital have got a bit out of hand

70 replies

Icouldstillbejoseph · 31/03/2014 20:16

I work in a maternity hospital. I did a shift today which typifies the type of phone use I'm talking about.
I had to perform a planned blood test on a baby. Less than 5 hours old. I walked in, mum was on the phone. So I smiled and waited, and waited. Then started to get a few bits together for the test - it became obvious she wasn't going to stop talking on her phone. So I said "sorry to interrupt, are you happy for me to go ahead with baby's blood test?"
I get a distracted "yeh" and then back to phone call.
First baby. Not interested in comforting baby. This is not unusual....

Now, I know, I really know it's a time of great joy and you want to tell people etc. and I know people get bored in hospital etc but this happens so much now. The obsession with mobile phones is just everywhere.

I think I am perhaps getting old and miserable

OP posts:

shallweshop · 31/03/2014 20:21

YANBU - I can't believe she just carried on chatting whilst her newborn had the blood test! Not only does it strike me as being uncaring but also bloody rude to you too.

Original poster

Icouldstillbejoseph · 31/03/2014 20:22

I have also been in the ED and seen people interrupt their phone calls to rate their pain as 10/10 and then go back to their game/conversation

OP posts:

SilverDragonfly1 · 31/03/2014 20:23

I don't think that's completely unreasonable. It is a great comfort for patients to be able to contact their family or friends while in hospital, but that then leads to long, loud conversations on wards or in waiting rooms that add hugely to the stress levels of other patients (and apparently staff as well!). I'm not sure how a balance can be worked out though.

Joules68 · 31/03/2014 20:24

Well it's not just in hospitals... I get it at my till. I refuse to continue serving them til they are engaging with me. Money changes hands so a distraction could become an issue. So I just put my hands on the counter and wait....

meditrina · 31/03/2014 20:25

I don't think your title is quite right - in the sense that it's not the phone that's the actual problem.

BackforGood · 31/03/2014 20:45

I agree with meditrina - it's the person's lack of manners rather than the phone, and I guess this carries on wherever she is, not just in hospital.

fluffyraggies · 31/03/2014 20:47

Recently spent a night in the obs. labour ward. Two women were using their phones well into lights out time having inane convo's with people they'd been yaking to all day long already, in voices loud enough to hear from 3 beds down.

Wanted to ram their bloody mobiles where the sun doesn't shine. Just because you can use your phone in hospital now it doesn't mean you have to ... all bloody day an night!

Original poster

Icouldstillbejoseph · 31/03/2014 20:49

Sorry if title was misleading

It just happens ALL the time

OP posts:

pianodoodle · 31/03/2014 20:49

Five hours after giving birth I think excitement/hormones/feeling overwhelmed etc... might explain behaviour some unusual behaviour.

In general though I agree it's rude.

Original poster

Icouldstillbejoseph · 31/03/2014 20:51

This is just an example from today - it happens at all times, 5 hours, 5 days, 5 minutes. Post natal, ante natal, I'm just waiting for someone to be on the phone whilst pushing..

OP posts:

Monmouth · 31/03/2014 21:06

Agreed, I work in an antenatal clinic. People are frequently on their phones. It's sometimes hard to attract their attention to call them in for appointments, or you're standing there waiting for them to finish a call.

I've had women answer the phone during a scan, they just don't seem to think it's rude.

CorusKate · 31/03/2014 21:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

thereisnoeleventeen · 31/03/2014 21:26

I think mobile phones in general are out of hand...have you seen (youtube clip)?

fayrae · 31/03/2014 21:28

Why were mobile phones allowed into hospitals in the first place?

Sparklingbrook · 31/03/2014 21:31

I thought all mobiles had to be switched off in hospitals. But I was at A&E today and everyone was on their phone.

I thought it interfered with hospital equipment? Even our GP has a sign to turn them off.

After I had DS1 I was put next to another woman who yapped on her phone constantly and loudly. I heard her birth story a bajillion times as she told everyone in her contact list.

Sirzy · 31/03/2014 21:34

I thought all mobiles had to be switched off in hospitals. But I was at A&E today and everyone was on their phone.

When DS was in HDU we were told that it was now known its not the case it intefers with things. I only used my phone in the parents room just incase though.

I think a lot of the time the turn it off signs now are more about manners than anything else.

When DS has been in hospital having easy contact with the outside world is a godsend (when you can get a signal) BUT I would never dream of using my phone while any sort of procedure was going on or staff were about - thats just rude

Sparklingbrook · 31/03/2014 21:42

DS2 had to have an OP when he was 5 weeks old but he needed an ultrasound first. There was a woman yapping on her phone sat next to DH & I as we sat with the baby waiting.

The Nurse came out to call us in for the scan and saw the woman. Nurse went ballistic at her. It was brilliant.

YouTheCat · 31/03/2014 21:47

I think phones should be off. I bet these are the same idiots who use their phones in cinemas/theatres and see nothing wrong with it.

It is bloody bad manners.

WelshMaenad · 31/03/2014 21:49

Using phones when medical professional want to tend to you or your baby; or using them in a way that disturbs other patients IS rude.

They can be a lifeline though. My mum has been in hospital for ten days, during her stay she has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. My dad has at the same time been in a different hospital for something totally different, and unable to visit her. Being able to stay in contact with me, my sister and my dad by phone has been a massive comfort to her when she's scared and lonely. Mum and Dad have been ringing each other between breakfast and ward rounds, it's quite sweet! They both try not to be loud and mum texts a lot which is completely unobtrusive.

honeybeeridiculous · 31/03/2014 21:49

YANBU OP, i also work in a maternity hospital and get 100% what you are saying!
I work with the paeds doing the first baby checks and it amazes and angers me that the mum will be texting on the phone while the Dr is telling them something about the baby, beggars belief

edwinbear · 31/03/2014 21:49

It is the height of bad manners to you, of course, but I am amazed she was more interested in her phone that comforting her, presumably wailing, first born. When ds was that old I wouldn't even sleep because i just wanted to look at him, protect him, cuddle him etc. Brad Pitt could have strolled naked through the ward and i wouldn't have taken my eyes off ds.

Sidge · 31/03/2014 21:53

I've had women answer their phones whilst I've been doing their smears.

And not only answer them but start a conversation during other consultations with me (I'm a practice nurse) - I usually politely interrupt to remind them they've only got a ten minute slot with me and if they'd like to spend it on the phone they might like to rebook...!

CitrusyOne · 31/03/2014 21:58

The woman in the next bed was texting all night when I was in after having dd. Tock tick tick tick went the keypad tones, bleepity bleep bleep bleep went the text alert. ALL THROUGH THE DAMN NIGHT. Even if DD had've slept I'd have been awake!

fayrae · 31/03/2014 22:00

Why didn't you complain? I would have.

Mobile phones are a scourge IMO. Why do people feel the need to be in constant contact with everyone?

fuckwitteryhasform · 31/03/2014 22:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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