Recently, several hospitals that contain fast food chain restaurants have come under fire from the public and advocacy groups, saying that they are providing unhealthy and unsafe food options for patients and patrons of the hospital.
The combination is a sore point for John Bluford who, as last year’s chair of the American Hospital Association, issued a call to action urging hospitals to eliminate unhealthy food in cafeterias. Serving fast food inside hospitals sends “an inconsistent message” to patients, staff and the community, Bluford says.
‘Inconsistent message’ is one way to put it. On the one hand, I’m sure nay-sayers will argue that this food is readily available, cheap and easy for both patients and their families in the hospital. But what kind of effect is this having over time? It’s incredulous that a diabetic patient, for example, hospitalized for a severe reaction has only these unhealthy and limited options for nutrition. And let’s not forget the confusing message this sends to children– that a place that seeks to cure the sick and unhealthy serves fast food to its patrons and staff. What are your thoughts?
To read more about this story, check out the original reporting from NPR blogger Elana Gordon http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/04/05/150091951/fast-food-chains-in-cafeterias-put-hospitals-in-a-bind?ps=cprs.