Why aren't flowers allowed in some hospital rooms?

Ever wanted to send flowers to a family or friend in the hospital but was told no? This happened to a family member of mine a few weeks ago. Of course he only learned of it upon presenting to the unit with the flowers rather than at the gift shop counter (where it should have been asked).

So I was naturally interested when I found this article this morning which questions the real reasons for the denial of flowers in the hospital room. According to the article recently posted in ScienceDaily, the myths of bacteria in the water vase, and blooms competing for oxygen are baseless.

And when compared with the outcomes that patients exhibit from having flowers, "Other studies report that flowers have immediate and long term beneficial effects on emotional reactions, mood, social behaviours, and memory for men and women alike. One trial found that patients in hospital rooms with plants and flowers needed significantly fewer postoperative analgesics; had reduced systolic blood pressure and heart rate; lower ratings of pain, anxiety, and fatigue; and had more positive feelings than patients in the control group." it would seem that there would be a bigger push for hospitals to reevaluate their flower policy.

Next time you are at the hospital, ask if you can bring flowers in.... then contact us with what you find out.