One of the most common ways of sending best wishes to a loved one during their stay in hospital is to bring them flowers. However, in recent years many hospitals, particularly in ICU and maternity wards, are seeking to ban flowers for a variety of reasons. This has left many people wondering asking are flowers allowed in hospitals and is it still appropriate to send them?
So, can you send flowers to a hospital in the United States? We’ve decided to take a closer look at all the factors at play and whether flowers are still a good way of showing support for someone who’s ill.
The reasons why flowers may be banned:
- Vase water may harbor bacteria.
- Pollen from flowers may irritate allergies.
- Water in vases poses a safety risk to electrical equipment.
- Flowers and plants can impede urgent treatment.
- Plants may hold the Aspergillus form of mold.
- Changing flower water to decrease the risk of bacteria costs health professionals’ time.
So, Are Flowers Allowed in Hospitals?
Despite the reasons put forward by various health researchers above, suggestions that there is a blanket ban on flowers in hospitals are way off. Since the majority of hospitals in the United States are independent entities, each one will make their own rules for themselves. It is best to approach the hospital directly to ask can you send flowers to a hospital patient.
Making things easier for the medical professionals who are working in that environment is also important to take into account. They are solely interested in the welfare of patients, so may be happy to accommodate the sending of bouquets, but that respect should always be a two-way street. Remember, these people are spending their whole working day in the hospital and their opinions on patient health, and safety are the ones that count.
If you are thinking about bringing a Bouq to a hospital or having one delivered, here are some tips to help take hospital rules into consideration.
- Call ahead and ask the ward reception if flowers are allowed.
- Keep Bouqs simple and easy to move.
- Make sure flowers are kept in a solid vase with a wide base that’s harder to knock over.
- Take as much responsibility as possible for changing water and caring for flowers yourself.
- Choose low-pollen flowers, such as roses, irises, and lilies.
- Consider sending a Bouq to person’s home instead if their hospital stay is short.
Can Sending Flowers to a Hospital Be Beneficial?
Even though medical professionals may oppose the sending of flowers to hospitals for various reasons, there is also research that has shown flowers can assist in the healing process.
Some of the potential benefits of flowers:
- Improved mood and emotional reactions
- Increased memory
- Lower ratings of pain and fatigue
- Reduced blood pressure
- More positive feelings
Still Asking “Are Flowers Allowed in Hospitals?”
Since flowers are a traditional way to send your regards to someone who is recovering in a hospital, it is only natural that a nice Bouq is the first thing that springs to mind when thinking of a gift.
Flowers can have a positive effect on people’s recovery by boosting their happiness and creating a loving atmosphere. Having any kind of a stay in a hospital is a low point in someone’s life, a time when they may be worried and anxious about what they are facing. It can be a trying time for their loved ones, too, so a cheerful Bouq of daffodils or chrysanthemums can really lift the spirits of all involved.
Plenty of specific wards, however, have concerns about flowers being brought in, no matter how well-intentioned. These are generally the departments with people whose immune systems are at their lowest, like newborn babies, those in intensive care, or people preparing for or recovering from surgery.
The simple answer is that bringing or sending flowers to a hospital will depend on the specific situation. Each hospital and ward will have their own rules, and it is best to ask what they are and stick to them.
Once that’s been cleared up the next task is finding the right flowers. Luckily, we’re masters in the art of cheering up even the saddest of patients. Our specially crafted “Get Well Soon” Bouqs are so great they’re nearly worth getting sick for…well, almost.
Shop All
