One time I went to stay with a lady that had sleepover aides. She complained that the one who came prior to me had been smoking even though she was on oxygen. When she asked her to stop, she got
defensive. We had all been told not to take abuse from this lady, but I thouhgt this was going a little too far.
I read the notes and they read, "She had to be put in place twice today, once about smoking and later....."
She said she wanted me to stay with her instead and I called my agency. I did not follow their directions about, "putting her in place." It's hard to understand why everyone hasn't been taught that you can't smoke
The lady is on oxygen for a reason. I'm sure the smoke bothers her and will affect her health. That's what matters. A caregiver should never smoke around the patient. I'd be furious if I were that patient and that family.
Whether or not the tank will explode doesn't matter.
I'm with you on this one. Smoking as a caregiver for someone that is on O2 is just mind boggling to me. The OP needs to make sure that whomever is in charge is aware of this fact - it is a safety issues as well as a health issue for this woman.
Intern67 is correct; all the materials around continous oxygen become super saturated with oxygen. There are very valid reasons for not allowing sparks or flame near running O2. Did you never get shown the films in your safety classes about how fast things catch and flame? It was part of our new employee orientation; those videos are truly impressive.
To the OP, there is a distinct difference in setting behavioral limits (rudeness) and not complying with pt requests. You can politely refuse to be snapped at, but "putting her in her place" is not setting limits, it is abuse.
You might try asking your agency to arrange some fire safety training from your local fire department; with an emphasis on oxygen, and rescuing disabled people.
OXYGEN IS A COMBUSTIBLE AND CAN EXPLODED IN THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT (HOT ENVIRONMENT MOSTLY)!! it is not flammable, BUT if there is a fire source it can accelerate or explode. not sure why on you tube videos a smoldering cigarette can catch fire if you blow pure oxygen on it, but if you blow pure oxygen on a light butane lighter.. apparently nothing will happen.!?.!? it may even blow the flame out. better safe then sorry. do not smoke near oxygen tanks or oxygen producing machines. also do not shoot oxygen tanks with guns. it can explode.. fire cannot exist without oxygen. if the percentage of oxygen in the environment is great enough it can kill you...
kcochrane
1,465 Posts
I'm with you on this one. Smoking as a caregiver for someone that is on O2 is just mind boggling to me. The OP needs to make sure that whomever is in charge is aware of this fact - it is a safety issues as well as a health issue for this woman.