McDonalds located inside a hospital?

Question

does that mean that the hospital is a crappy one?

Answer 1

no

Answer 2

Good point. Maybe it creates more business for the hospital. Parkland Hospital here in Dallas has a McDonalds in it. It's the biggest hospital in the DFW area.

P.S. To previous answer: I'd definitely consider Dallas/DFW area huge. Around 6 million.

Answer 3

Childrens Hosp of Los Angeles has a Mcdonalds. I think its weird b.c of the health reasons. But on the other hand, maybe its a sense of normal for those sick kids. Thas the impression I got.

Answer 4

Not necessarily. It depends on all sorts of things such as affiliated organizations. Sure, McDonald's is known for serving food high in salt, carbs, fat, etc. But they also have Ronald McDonald House and fund medically oriented services. Whether or not it's for good publicity is open for another discussion.

Thing is, we cannot generalize and say a food is "good" or "bad". Eating a balanced diet and in moderation is the key to a healthy diet. Despite the documentary "Super Size Me", my nutritionist professor says even at a place at McDonald's, if you eat there everyday and make healthy choices and eat in moderation, you can even still meet your daily nutrition requirements and even lose weight if needed (assuming you eat foods like the salads, easy on the dressing, fruits, milk, dilute your juices, etc.). Of course, at a place like McDonald's, such choices are difficult if you have tastier options in front of you and the selections they have in salads and fruits are limited.

But back to the topic, I've never seen a McDonald's in a hospital before. Then again, be sure to take a closer look at hospitals across the spectrum. Just because there is not a fast food joint does not mean it is a better hospital. For example, I'm a medical student and the hospital I get trained at serves mostly brats, burgers, and fried foods. The cafeteria is also known for it's wide selection in candies and Thursday fried chicken buckets. Just because there is not a McDonald's there does not mean it is a better hospital. For example, another hospital can have a McDonald's but an entire food court as well that may also have a sub station, salad station, etc. Even though it may have a McDonald's, compared to the hospital I work at, if you looked at foodservice alone, it would qualify as "better" because the patients are given an option whether or not to eat foods high in salt, fat, sugar, etc. versus healthier choices.

As for the discussion regarding what is a "good" hospital. Well, the criteria has been greatly debated as to what makes a "good" school? Traditional score sheets include factors such as funding, patient mortality, morbidity, nosocomial infections, rate of accidents/exposures, iatrogenic illnesses, etc.

In a nutshell, much much more is factored into deciding whether a hospital is a "crappy" or "good" one.

Note to "Tim J", just because there is a fast food joint in a hospital or any sort of decision made in the medical community that someone may not like, it does not mean a doctor did it. Medicine is very political too. CEOs for instance that do not even have medical training commonly run hospitals, decide fundings, participate in publicity and resource allocations. Many more people are involved. Just think of health insurance coverage of which a significant portion is not even run by doctors. If I got a penny for every time a decision was made in the medical field a doctor did not approve of and was able to have little sway in despite their efforts, I'd be retired and stinking rich! :)

Answer 5

Okay. That is just sick and disgusting.

Answer 6

I bet their cardiac care center is top of the line...  It's a one stop shop... I wonder if they have a punch card for big mac's that you can use to get a free triple-bypass.

Answer 7

i dont know, docters say not to eat alot of fast food then they but a McDonalds in the hospital... i think that sounds crappy

Answer 8

theres a mcdonalds located in the children's hospital where I live & it's great-they're open 24 hours so even if the cafeteria is closed you can still eat if you're stuck in the emergency room for 10 hours. Plus they charge 25 cents for drink refills but the money goes in a container for Ronald McDonald house there in the hospital :)

Answer 9

I've lived in 8 different states and been to many hospitals. i have never seen a McDonald's in a hospital. I thought this question was a joke until I read the answers. seriously that sounds ghetto as h**l!!!

kelly s: what do you consider a "big city?" I ask because I lived in Boston, Queens, Miami, etc. and I've never seen one in a hospital.

Answer 10

No. Where I live we have one of the best hospitals around and there's a McDonald's in it. It's not for the patients, it's for their families, to eat quickly and cheaply when they are busy. McDonald's is not horrible unless you eat a lot of it all the time. Eating at McDonald's once in a while will not kill you, and it's not McDonald's fault that people are obese, either, it's THEIR OWN.

Answer 11

McDonalds is McDonalds they all taste the same!

Answer 12

no it doesn't mean that the hospital food is crappy. some hospitals like to offer a variety of food for the families of the people in the hospital.

Answer 13

I live in the big city and this is not uncommon

Answer 14

Nah. Children's Hospital in Philly is topped ranked in the nation and it has one.

Answer 15

There's a McDonald's located inside the Mercy Medical Center (Des Moines, Iowa's largest major hospital...second to the University of Iowa hospital in Iowa City, Iowa), and it is convenient (considering this hospital is on the verge of the 'hood...).  There is a McDonald's like two blocks away from this hospital as is a Burger King...but like I said it's in the 'hood...'nuff said.