moses kent
Aug 2026
One of the biggest concerns I have experienced is that the patient rooms do not have individual phones that family members can call directly. When I call the hospital to speak with my grandmother, I am often unable to speak with her directly. Instead, someone answers the phone and tells me, *“I’ll make sure to let her know you called.”* There is no guarantee that the message will actually reach her, and there is no way for me to know whether she received the message or was even made aware that I called. I find this extremely concerning, especially for patients who may be unable to afford a personal cell phone. Not every patient or family has the financial ability to purchase a phone for their loved one simply so they can communicate with their family while hospitalized. A patient should not have to have the financial means to purchase a personal phone in order to have reliable communication with their family. Family communication is extremely important, particularly when a patient is hospitalized and may be scared, confused, or unable to advocate for themselves. Being able to speak directly with a loved one can provide emotional support and reassurance and can also allow family members to check on their well-being. I understand that facility staff are busy and that there may be limitations regarding phone access. However, there should be a reliable system in place that allows patients to communicate with their families without placing an additional financial burden on them. Families should not have to repeatedly call the facility and hope that someone remembers to pass along a message. Patients deserve reasonable access to communication with the people who care about them.
