[DYSPHAGIA] A Question for Hospital SLPs

[LOBSTERPAM@aol.com (LOBSTERPAM@aol.com)]

I don't think you would find much of an argument from anyone that hospital work is 24/7.  I believe it is a bit harsh to suggest that patients admitted on the weekend are "discriminated against."  In our system we do weekend on-call. However, there are logistics involved in providing a 24/7 degree of service which often make it difficult for departments to do so.  Availability of staff and dollars for salaries of additional staff are not always in the budget. Does your staff go in at 11:00pm?

I do not mean to undermine our importance in the health care environment; only to suggest that there are administrative issues that affect a department's ability to provide the level of service that no one would argue is ideal.  We are fortunate to have several per diem staff who basically do only on-call rotations.  There are guidelines we must follow regarding whether to go in on the weekend or not - patient related, yes; but the bottom line is that staff must be paid if they go in to work.

Obviously we care about our patients.  Unfortunately, this is a business as well.

Pam Smith


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