Suggestions for gifts for Medical Staff

[Garden Kitty]

A friend has a relative who was in ICU and she's been very appreciative of all the support from the medical team. She's already brought some individually wrapped snacks (candy, nuts, granola bars etc.) and sent some warm cookies to the night staff. The team has been incredible and she'd like to bring something else tomorrow, especially for the nurses, but is running out of ideas. Any suggestions from our members in the medical field about what they've enjoyed or any suggestions of things you've given before? Thanks.

 

[once_upon]

It's best to remember - no gift cards or money. Most hospitals forbid staff from accepting those.

 

[MacMadame]

Donuts!!

(That's what my friend whose husband was in the hospital for weeks would bring and they got a big positive reaction.)

 

[alj5]

Really any kind of food or snacks is great. Everything will get eaten. Bagels, donuts, fruit or veggie tray, sandwiches, cake, cupcakes, cookies, candy, ice cream, pizza.

Please make sure there's some for night shift though. They usually get the short stick when it comes to thank-you gifts.

A nice hand-written note is always appreciated, as they often stay posted in the break room for months. Healthcare is rough these days, and so seeing kind notes is helpful during or after a tough shift.

 

[moebius]

charcuterie-mix of savory and sweets
mix of sweet and savory pastries

 

[rfisher]

Food and thank you notes. You'd be surprised at how much a thank you means. Always get things easy to eat that don't need to be refrigerated as they may not have the space in a break room fridge. And, sending a note to the director of housekeeping praising the people who cleaned the room is a big morale boost as well. Maintenance and housekeeping don't often get compliments from their directors

 

[once_upon]

I agree with @rfisher . Include radiology team, it's difficult to position an ICU patient, slip the tray under their back to get an acceptable film, the respiratory tech team. Although nurses generally pull blood off central lines for lab testing, consider lab techs too.

A sincere thank you/recognition to the director of ICU and the CNO is appreciated.

 

[MLIS]

I just yesterday brought two trays of cookies and fancy squares (ordered from a bakery and individually wrapped, since I thought that would be more hygienic) and a thank you note to the staff at the palliative care hospital where my aunt spent her final days. The way their eyes lit up when they saw the squares! Nurses are saints and I can’t say enough about the care they gave not only my aunt but our entire family. Palliative care is a special calling.

 

[Kasey]

Healthy snacks especially are welcome, since most of the time if families give us food it's junk. Also either coffee (Starbucks does the traveler sized jug with separate cups and supplies) or energy drinks would be awesome! Thank you cards are also always appreciated. We have a bulletin board that "thank yous" go up on in the break room. It's a nice reminder of why we do what we do.

 

[Garden Kitty]

Thank you for the suggestions! Very helpful!

 

[Aceon6]

Healthy snacks especially are welcome, since most of the time if families give us food it's junk. Also either coffee (Starbucks does the traveler sized jug with separate cups and supplies) or energy drinks would be awesome! Thank you cards are also always appreciated. We have a bulletin board that "thank yous" go up on in the break room. It's a nice reminder of why we do what we do.

Agree. We sent Sunnyland Farms nut mixes and fruit and nut trays several times and addressed them to the specific shifts, the pulmonology team. and the unit’s support teams. Huge hit.