Body Odor of Coworker or Pt.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Have any of you ever had to deal with the body odor of a coworker, classmate, or patient on a regularly ongoing basis? If so, how did you handle the situation?

[Chaya, ASN, RN]

With patients, our CNA's are great! There are several who become increasingly insistent from night to night. If the person refuses to get washed up once, OK. The second night the CNA's are pretty insistent: from "you'll feel better" to it's not healthy to go without washing" to "you need to wash so your skin won't break down". After that, depending on the rapport established with the pt they might actually say "You need to wash! You smell!" That usually gets a sheepish consent and of course they do feel better all washed up.

Now, co-workers- that's a whole 'nother thing!

[SmilingBluEyes]

there was a very lengthy thread entitled "stinky coworker" or something like that---it got heated and ugly. I think the general agreement was, as a professional, you should pull that coworker aside, and tell him/her what concerns you in a kind and very private, non-threatening way. Most people want to know if/when they offend others---and it's better than talking or laughing/ridiculing them either to their faces, or behind their backs. Do the kind and professional thing and tell them about it. But be discreet!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Do the kind and professional thing and tell them about it. But be discreet!

Yep. I agree that a person should be informed of any possible B.O. in a manner that is caring, tactful, and respectful at the same time. You've gotta let them know that you're telling them about their 'problem' because you care...

Anyhow, about a year ago one of my classmates had a bit of a body odor issue. It was as if she was failing to apply deodorant prior to arriving to school. The other students mercilessly talked behind her back for 2 entire months while she was blissfully unaware. Finally the students pressured the theory instructor to tell her about the musty B.O. The instructor was reluctant, but he did it under high pressure. My odorous classmate was depressed, hurt, and came to the realization that everyone had been talking badly about her for a couple of months.

[TazziRN, RN]

Patients: mentholatum in the nostrils works great. Have never had to deal with a stinky coworker, though.

[ilostu12]

If it is a pt/res that has this issue, what was previously posted is a good idea. Let the CNA's try first, hopefully they have a good repour with the pt and can get the job done. If not then the nurse needs to set in and be an advocate for their well being and for the rights of the other pt's/res.

If it is a classmate or co-worker, that's a little different. Ok....this is 10+ years in managment in another career talking. This needs to be handled by the shift supervisor, charge nurse, or even the DON (depending on the situation the the person it involves), the post by TheCommuter hit the nail right on the head, 'caring, tactful, and respectful at the same time.' I went through several training semminars just on this specific subject and how to approach and handle the co-worker. The biggest thing to remember is that the person in question may not have any idea he/she has an issue with BO. By talking to the individual in a quiet and PRIVATE area and explaining that the situation is very difficult for you to discuss, will let the person know that you want to help them and not try to cause them undue embarassment, and will make the situation easier to resolve.

One other thing , if you hear someone talking behind the persons back, get it stopped immediately! This is not fair the the person involved and can lead to some even bigger problems.

[Multicollinearity, BSN, RN]

I know I'm resurrecting an old thread. Here's my trouble about fellow students and body odor. I've got one nursing class with several foreign students who do not wear deodorant. It is an afternoon class, and each foreign student has about a 15 foot radius of potent BO. I've noticed classmates trying to triangulate seats away from each of the foreign students to get in a stink-free zone (me included).

I feel badly about it. Nobody says anything, but I've seen some looks among students when they realized during the first week, etc. I'm sure this will be addressed when we get to clinicals next semester.

I know that this is a cultural issue. I know that many places in the world find BO normal. But when in Rome? We seem to care so much about cultural sensitivity and respecting other cultures. Why can't the foreign students give a bit, too, and put on some deodorant out of respect for American ways? Or do they honestly have no idea that we are so bothered? If anything, I think if they wore deodorant, they would make friends more easily.

Has anyone seen a good solution to this in the academic setting?

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Or do they honestly have no idea that we are so bothered?

They don't realize it.

What has to happen is that one of the foreign students has to realize it, take action, and lead the others.

I've seen it happen in the workplace, but it was other Russian immigrants who took the initiative, not Americans.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

This is an off-shoot, but I had a situation years ago where 'somebody' (we never discovered who) used to leave their soiled sanitary napkin on top of the toilet paper in the employee's bathroom on a monthly basis. It always seemed that I was the fortunate person to make this discovery. I did try and be nice by saying to everyone that this is not a considerate practice, and to please pass this around to others (in hopes that it would eventually get to whoever it was). It didn't help. In fact, sometimes, I used to find two-one bloody one on top of the other.

I then, wrote a note that this is not sanitary, nor is it pleasent to have to go to the bathroom and feel as though we have to don gloves and plastic bags when we may not be feeling well or on our OWN periods to have to be subjected to cleaning the bathroom BEFORE we get a chance to take care of our own elimination needs. I made copies of it and placed it in each stall, on every mirror and on the door. Then, it finally stopped. I suspect I know who was doing it, but never said anything because I did not witness or have proof.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I've got one nursing class with several foreign students who do not wear deodorant.

At my PRN job, I've got a foreign coworker who came migrated to America last year. She's an RN with extremely pungent body odor. I'd describe it as a "chili dog with onions" smell, as if she does not apply deodorant in the morning. I don't think she realizes she smells so hideously.

Thanks for bringing this point up. Body odor is acceptable in some cultures, but American culture seriously frowns upon bodily stenches of any kind.

[jackson145]

Sometimes it's not just BO. It can be a dietary thing that is uncommon to us. I'm thinking, in particular, of that curry smell. I've been in houses that were saturated with that smell. It's pretty overwelming.

[MzMouse]

I have had patients come in the office with horrendous body odor. But you deal with it and move on.

I have never had to deal with a coworker with a bad odor, other than a manager who insists on bathing on perfume. :icon_roll