I have to laugh as this appears on one of my regularly visited websites.

http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig3/miles5.1.1.html

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As Mendelson points out, visiting the hospital is serious stuff, and something most people don’t concern themselves with because they are not aware of the shenanigans that sometimes occur in hospitals, nor how terribly wrong things can go. Like our government many Americans think problems here and there are odd and rare, and not endemic to the system itself.

For all our revolutionary heritage, Americans in general seem to have this odd, misplaced, unblinking, and often unconscious respect for credentialed authority, apparently thinking that credentials and expertise somehow cleanse people from the baser parts of human nature like self-willed agendas, petty backbiting, authoritarian behavior, the brazen seeking of power, a cultic mentality, etc.

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FROM MY CARING BRIDGE SITE

Saturday, August 21, 2010 7:22 AM, CDT

“Good” morning from RWJUH New Brunswick

{Extraneous Deleted}

Nurse informs me of “new policy”. “No visiting before 10. And, how did I get up.” A vigorous discussion of this policy. Even showed her the booklet, on Page 6 “Family members are welcome 24 / 7”, I was given last week. “It’s wrong.” I told her if that was their policy, that I’d transfer her out.” “All hospitals are like that.” I don’t need this <Expletive Deleted> “barbara streisand”! Frau Reinke was getting upset with me. So I let it pass. They’ll have to drag me out in handcuffs. <Expletive Deleted> “barbara streisand”!

And, what’s worse, I left my coffee in the car!

Guess I better alert my panel of attorneys. Who’s got bail money? I’m putting on my Gandhi person. Peaceful non-cooperation with Micky Mouse rules.

If hospital “policy” is “visiting hours are from 10AM to 9PM for patient safety”. (a) what’s happening during those hours that jeopardizes patient safety that a “visitor” will interfere with? The sleeping night shift! (b) The CUs say “no visiting during shift change from 7 to 8 AM and PM”. Lay those two “policies” on top of one another and it really restricts families in the evening. (c) You can’t tell me there are not “hidden exceptions” — neo natal, the dying, pediatrics, honchos, politicians. ARGH!

A peaceful non-violent non-cooperating resistor does have some obligation to avoid a fight. Didn’t want to upset the patient. If she’d said “leave”, I’d have merely replied “no”. If Frau Reinke was up to snuff, I might even comply. Might not. But it would be my choice; not theirs.

Maybe I’ll even have all new nurses tomorrow to deal with.

Nurses at the station have been having a “barbara streisand” session for the last half hour.

And, for the record, that old “no food” policy is “barbara streisand” too since I saw several of the staff eating at their stations.

So, asinine policies get the respect they deserve. Argh! I gotta stop hanging out in these kind of joints.

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