You're a patient in a hosptial . . .

dsvirsky

dsvirsky

Joined
Aug 2, 1999
Messages
1,910
So, what knife are you carrying?

I've never been hospitalized, but my wife just spent a couple of days (everything's fine, thanks), and so the subject came to mind. Like most (hah! all) of you, I never leave the house without a knife. So what would be appropriate?

Remember, you don't want to scare the folks taking care of you. I'm thinking Spyderco lightweight Cricket, clipped to my shorts.

I know some of you can answer this question based on your own personal experience.


------------------
Dave

Signature line needed. Apply within.
 
Carry anything you want. But, keep in mind that valuables in a hospital room may walk at any time. BTW what shorts? (usually, you are wearing a shorty bare A$$ gown)
 
If I'm at the hospital, I'm probably wearing that bitty, buttless gown and some boxers...and I'd not carry a knife. First, because I can't see wearing one tucked in my drawers...

Second--If I were a doctor and one of my patients was carrying a knife, I'd have it taken away as soon as possible, no matter what it was (even a ladybug). It's not that I necessarily distrust the patient, but some other patient could get a hold of it and cause trouble. Carrying a knife in a hospital is a bad idea.
 
Whenever I'm in the hospital, I usually carry a small bowie tucked right between my buttcheeks. They never look for them there.

------------------
Danbo, soul brother of Rambo
 
Why would you need/want a knife in a hospital? Freelance surgery is strongly discouraged (you are getting into their line of busness
smile.gif
)
 
A six foot claymore. Useful for changing chanels when the batteries go in the remote. Short of that. Any neck knife that wouldn't get in the way of anything I was hooked up to (i.e. oxygen, I.V., car battery, what ever).
 
not2sharp,
I was referring to one's jockey/boxer shorts.

Of course you don't need a knife when you're in the hospital, but I know this bunch and there's bound to be some BF members who'd have one anyway, so I thought I'd have some fun.

As for want, one thing I do know about being in the hospital is that it's boring. Having a knife to open and close gives the hands something to do.

Dan -- you're probably right.
Danbo, bfm -- good answers!
Craigz -- you've proved my theorem. Thanks.


------------------
Dave

Signature line needed. Apply within.
 
For those who don't already know, I'm an Radiographer (x-ray tech) at a hospital and I carry a SAK all the time.
Some of our patients carry knives and it's no problem at all (except patients on the mental health ward...).
But since you don't want people to think you're a threat I would carry a small folder (no larger than a 3" blade, that should take care of most cutting needs anyway).
Actually we worry about smokers with lighters more than knives: they could set the hospital on fire and kill everybody, esp in rooms with oxygen! At least once a month we get a "code red" because someone lit-up in the bathroom.
BTW, About the gowns: unless you cannot bath yourself, insist on wearing PJs or sweats (but NO ZIPPERS or METAL SNAPS please--we radiographers will make you take them off for x-rays).
Good luck and I hope to never see any of you while I'm at work.
 
Originally posted by Dan Bruns:
Second--If I were a doctor and one of my patients was carrying a knife, I'd have it taken away as soon as possible, no matter what it was (even a ladybug). It's not that I necessarily distrust the patient, but some other patient could get a hold of it and cause trouble. Carrying a knife in a hospital is a bad idea.
Click to expand...


It's a good thing you're not my doctor. I'd fire you. That's the same type of attitude that anti-gunners have when they say, "If you carry a gun, it'll only be taken away by a criminal and used against you. Let the police protect you." Sheesh...



------------------
Kelly
My Custom Knife Collection
AKTI Member #A000289

Deo Vindice
 
Not to politicize this, Kelly, but the guy has the right idea, for the wrong reasons.

Having worked in a couple of hospitals, and having been admitted to a couple as well, I've seen both sides - and personally I'd rather see no patients with knives for several reasons, including -

1. Making sure your possessions stay yours. If you are admitted then there's going to be all sorts of people with access to your "stuff" - if not the staff, then other patients. The tales about wallets, watches, clothing, and all sorts of other things going missing are true - so why give someone the opportunity to abscond with your Sebenza? Leave it with a loved one. If you are a "spur of the moment" visitor - like an bad accident victim, then you really won't have a choice - when your clothes are cut off, all the personal effects will wind up in a bag - at which point you probably won't need a knife because your primary concerns will be breathing and healing. Good luck keeping an eye on your knife when you have a chest tube or intubation - you aren't exactly mobile.

2. Patient / Worker safety - Let's face it, despite everyone's best intentions, accidents happen. People on pain meds do stupid things. People in serious pain do stupid things. Even the smartest person in the world can be a "sheeple" at heart, no matter how many degree's they have. Eliminate the Murphy factor - remove the knife from the equation. If you are confined to a hospital bed, you really don't need one there.

3. Running afoul of the law. Like it or not, it's actually illegal to carry concealed on most (if not all) hospital grounds. Pepperspray, firearms and knives are all big no-no's. Several of the forum members are probably hospital staff and can expand on the troubles they've experienced - and they *work* there. "Guests" are going to get a lot less leeway. Especially in Country / University hospitals that deal with the nicities of gun shot wounds and related trauma. Do you really want to get into a debate with the person controlling your meds, much less the ability to have a psych consult because they feel you are a danger to yourself and others (rational or not)?

Personally, my biggest concern would be #1 above - keeping people from running off with my knife, which is why I'd want it secured by someone I know. Why tempt fate?

Naturally, we don't want to paint everything with a broad brush - if you are coming in for light outpatient surgery or a routine checkup, then you won't have the same worries as if you were coming in from a MVA, GSW, deceleration injury (read as hitting the ground) or any of the other unplanned events that make ER such a ratings bonanza.
 
Chances are if I'm in the hospital I will have a hell of a lot of more serious things to thing about then what god damned knife I can take in with me. Whats next what knife are you taking to your own funeral????????? How about you are in a car accident and are confined to a wheel chair what knife do you want to wheel around with?
Bob
 
Come on folks, this was supposed to be a light-hearted thread. I was just curious how many of you would actually have a real-life answer -- I'm easily amused.

Strider -- not next, already; we have had at least one thread about what knife you want to bring to your own funeral: What knife goes with you in your coffin?

------------------
Dave

Signature line needed. Apply within.
 
BTW,

I did have the pleasure of spending a week in the hospital earlier this year (my first time - fortunately worked out well). My pocket knife, wrist watch, and cellphone kept me company from the comfort of a carry bag along with the rest of my street clothes. With all of the testing, probing and maintenance activity going on; having a knife on your person would have been a real inconvenience. A claymore would have been best; it would have been harder to misplace in radiology.

What I really missed was access to my computer. I was surprised how dependent I have become on this thing, and how truely bad broadcast TV has become. Couldn't wait to get home and catch up on the news (emails etc.).
 
I guess I must have missed that one! I will have to be more careful in the future and read all these gems.
Bob
 
Just like every other topic, most of these answers have some right (practical) reasonings and some wrong (legal/PC) reasonings.

Remember, to us, a knife is just a tool or a cool toy but to others it is a menace....

I've worked in hospitals since I was 17 and will till I kick over or win the Lotto either way I'll probably die in one or that's where they'll dress me up for my 'fiery' departure.
wink.gif
In fact, you wanna know something REALLY stupid..... ER Nurse got fired for 'using' a knife to zip open a pant leg instead of approved 'scissors' which were across the room. NO POO! So, knife prejudice is alive and well in hospitals! Yeah, the EMTs/Paramedics were all carrying blades when they came in but because this guy was Staff RN and the Ethics Committee deemed his actions inappropriate, he's GONE!

Knives in a patient's hands are an ABSOLUTE NO GO. Inpatient that is.... If you come in for a splinter removal from your ass in the ER then probably that's fine but I would bet good money if any MD or Nurse sees it you're going to be handing it over and by all rights you should keep it in the car. All hospitals have safes for personal belongings should you request it and having a Nurse/MD carry until you split isn't that bad of a secondary alternative.

I DO understand the levity of this question but everyone need to remember that out of 7,000 odd people here there are probably 70% who are stupid enough to take almost everything posted here to heart and 'try' it.

Rant mode over...... Now for the real life stuff in hospitals. Aside from the Psych people wandering around on heavy medication (and believe me, if any layperson thinks they can spot a loonie, you are WAY wrong) that look like anyone else, the people who are employed and like to run off with others stuff there are a number of 'normal' people (like most of you reading this) that can/may/will have some very adverse reactions to medications. In fact, if you've never been in a hospital and been given these meds you are even at higher risk cause you don't 'know' how you'll react and neither does the MD.

That being said, I was working nights one time on Med-Surg and there was a guy in his later 30's who had just been given Morphine for pain and he seemed fine at first check...... Not long after that, we hear a scream, some crashes run down to his room and he's not there..... Check the window and nothing wrong there..... Check the bathroom and he's crawled as much as he can behind the back of the toilet and he screams "How the &$%# did you get into this warehouse? The ?*$%*# Mafia is gonna kill me! You gotta get me outta here! They're gonna ?*$%*# kill me!" at the top of his lungs as he's trying to wiggle and squirm further behind the toilet. Now, I can't remember what he was there for but he was just a normal Joe in for some tests or surgery that can/will likely happen to all/most of us. So, seeing a half nekkid guy doing that is kinda humorous UNLESS you imagine said guy with a weapon of any kind especially a KNIFE! What if he had enough sense to hide behind the door and thought I was Guido coming to do him? That's where the humor ends! People risk TOO MUCH working in hospitals to be worrying about some 'bored' patient playing with a knife and then something happening with it...... Also, what happens had this guy gotten out of the hospital and ran into a LEO and runs at him with a blade screaming? They don't use 'SANE' patches at the hospital and it is a real tough judgement call. Moral of the story, 'If you're that bored, ask a Nurse if you can help them with their paperwork!' Guarantee you'll get the BEST care ever and you'll NEVER be bored again!
smile.gif


Just my .00003 cents worth
wink.gif

Shawn

------------------
'Peers don't know what they can't see...
They can't see inside of me... It's sickening
how comforting the privacy of the mind can be...
How much longer will I try before I realize I'm
desperate in the situation that I'm in again...
I'm exhausting yet another topic I've exhausted
frequently... With no regrets!' - Eve 6

[This message has been edited by Emanym Ton (edited 07-24-2000).]
 
I asked myself just that question when I went in for surgery in January. My reasoning was "not too big" and "not too expensive". I settled on an old Tinker model SAK I had lying around to replace my newer and larger Adventurer model I would otherwise have been carrying. I also had a disposable lighter, my drivers license (without wallet), a $5.00 bill flat in a back pocket, and telephone change. I just don't go around with less.
 
Well, i've been working in several hospitals in just about every area you can name- MICU; SICU; Peds; Med/Surg; ER; etc.. i don't think it's a good idea. Let alone that where i work is a V.A. and you can't even have anything that looks like a kubotan. Nothing that can be interpreted as a weapon. Same goes for patients as well as employees.
most hospitals are a bit like prisons. they don't want to leave many sharp or pointy things around. (of course there's various reasons regarding needles and such which we're all aware of- but we're talking about personal carries, right?). you'd be surprised how many times that guy in the bed next to you or in the room next to you has a mental or emotional history. and you can't know it; only the personnel do (and i've seen some doozies!). i still remember the little old guy who found a pair of scissors and tried to stab me with them. Luckily he still had one restraint on his bed and i got far enough away from his range! (he should have cut both hands free!). we have a certain code that's called and then a predetermined group of men and women respond cause it means a violent patient or threatening patient. they'll put you in leather restraints if need be (and NEVER say anything that can be interpreted as a suicide threat- it's like giving away all of your civil rights- ever hear of a 302? Ask an ER doc, it gives them some serious control over you). I think if you wanted something for security, try a Canemaster if you're able to fit the portrait or need a cane- that would be excellent cause they expect to see you with it in the hospital. Maybe a small escrima-type stick, or koppo stick. I personally have nothing against any patients having their usual carry- as long as they have no problems that could be brought out by the disease, drugs, situation, or stress, etc., in the hospital- just don't scare those nurses cause then they'll never answer your call bell!
(I only wish it was okay to carry where i work, but even at other non-fed hospitals i don't think they'd approve of it if they saw it).
 
Danbo--

Oh, well, if we're carrying THERE, I'd go with a katana--it's the only LOGICAL choice, since a)no one could find it (even if they WANTED to check), and b) you could draw (CAREFULLY, for God's sake!!!!) without snagging it on that cute little paper gown they give you...

No, but seriously, when I was laid up last time, I didn't have any of my knives on me, but there was this one nurse...I swear to God I started thinking about where I was gonna stab her with my I.V. needle--or my bed-pan...



------------------
Meddle not in the affairs of Dragons, for you are crunchy, and good with ketchup...
 
There is the approach from the movie "The Hospital" where the crazy guy puts on surgical scrubs and carries a scalpel.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top