Banning flowers from hospital rooms has come up from time to time, for a variety of reasons. Some people don’t like them because of the strong scents that some flowers have; others don’t like the extra work of watering them or not having enough room to put down their work tools. 
Already, they are banned from many places like intensive care units, where space is at a premium. On the other hand, studies have been done that have promoted the value of plants and flowers for people who are in a hospital or rehabilitation facility. So – who is right?
On the Nay side:
A couple of generations ago, flowers were removed from the patients’ bedsides every night because it was believed that the oxygen used by the plants would deprive the patients of much needed oxygen. Other earlier studies (in the 70s) claimed that bacteria in the vase water could be harmful. And then, there are bans just because someone decided to ban flowers or plants. There were no official reasons given, just a blanket ban.
On the Yea side:
According to a study published in the October 2008 issue of HortTechnology, confirmed “the beneficial effects of plants and flowers for patients recovering from abdominal surgery.”
the majority of patients who had plants in their rooms reported that the plants were the most positive qualities of their rooms (93%), whereas patients without plants in their rooms said that watching television was the most favorable aspect of their rooms (91%).
For sure, too many flowers can be difficult to manage. Nurses and other healthcare staff who are allergic to flowers may find it difficult to care for patients who have flowers in their room. For those patients who share rooms, the flowers may cause a problem for their fellow patient. As well, there is such a thing as too many flowers. Some rooms are just overwhelmed with them, making it difficult to move around.
This week’s issue of BMJ.com addresses the issue: Wards of the roses. So what do you think? Do flowers and plants have a place in hospitals? Or should they be left for when the patients go home?
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Post from: Blisstree