Free TV for everyone!
Why on Earth is it that hospitals cannot provide patients with basic TV channels for free. I’m not saying people should have free cable in the hospital, but they should at least be able to have the basics (channels 1 through 13). The only cost to the hospital would be electricity.
What many people do not realize when it comes to hospitals is that a hospital is a business. The bottom line is to make money. So there is a charge to watch even basic television channels. Now, there may be some hospitals that don’t charge for basic TV, but many do, and in my opinion, NONE should. Why?
Because for many patients (particularly those who are elderly, have no family, and/or few financial resources) television can be their only source of mental stimulation. But without it, I have seen people lie in bed for weeks on end staring at nothing but four walls. This lack of stimulation can lead to profound depression, particularly for those patients who can’t get out of bed due to injury or disease. Someone may respond that there is always reading, but many elderly people have difficulty reading fine print and many poor people do not have reading glasses.
If anyone reading this has ideas on how to advocate effectively for all patients to have access to basic television coverage, post a message to the blog or email me at suggestions@medfriendly.com. I’d love to hear from you. Maybe we can make some progress on this front.
What many people do not realize when it comes to hospitals is that a hospital is a business. The bottom line is to make money. So there is a charge to watch even basic television channels. Now, there may be some hospitals that don’t charge for basic TV, but many do, and in my opinion, NONE should. Why?
Because for many patients (particularly those who are elderly, have no family, and/or few financial resources) television can be their only source of mental stimulation. But without it, I have seen people lie in bed for weeks on end staring at nothing but four walls. This lack of stimulation can lead to profound depression, particularly for those patients who can’t get out of bed due to injury or disease. Someone may respond that there is always reading, but many elderly people have difficulty reading fine print and many poor people do not have reading glasses.
If anyone reading this has ideas on how to advocate effectively for all patients to have access to basic television coverage, post a message to the blog or email me at suggestions@medfriendly.com. I’d love to hear from you. Maybe we can make some progress on this front.
posted by MedFriendly | 7:48 PM
1 Comments:
Daer MedFriendly:
Maybe the doctor can write a perscripsion for TV viewing for mental and physical comfort reasons.
The patient isn't bored stiff, the hospital gets their money, and the insurance company or medicare,, well, they'll understand.
Your friendly neighborhood inspector,
Vince
Quality Home Inspection Co.
vdombosk@twcny.rr.com
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