Do You take your patients out for smoke breaks?

[Meerkat]

We do, but I don't agree with it.

[msn2008, MSN, RN]

No, and fortunately my facility is going totally smoke free, even the outside property, within the next few months.

[luvmy2angels]

No, we don't allow smoking anywhere on the property, even if staff wants to smoke we must go down the street to the park.

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

Nope. I'm not subjecting myself to 2nd hand smoke.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

We are a non-smoking facility. I personally refuse to take a patient out on their smoke breaks.

Some of the smoking nurses and techs have been known to do so if it calms them down. But it sets a bad precident because then I come on and refuse and the patient gets aggitated at my broken record response "we are a non-smoking facility, no smoking anytime, anywhere. Would you like to me to call the doc and get you a patch?" Only to be asked 30 minutes later the same question "can I go outside and smoke?" Me: we are a non-smoking facility, no smoking anytime, anywhere. Would you like to me to call the doc and get you a patch?" Only to be asked 30 minutes later the same question "can I go outside and smoke?" Me:we are a non-smoking facility, no smoking anytime, anywhere. Would you like to me to call the doc and get you a patch?" Only to be asked 30 minutes later the same question "can I go outside and smoke?" Me: we are a non-smoking facility, no smoking anytime, anywhere. Would you like to me to call the doc and get you a patch?" Only to be asked 30 minutes later the same question "can I go outside and smoke?"

If a patient goes out on their own, I don't bother them, it's a free country. Sometimes, I'll help a patient into a wheelchair and their family will take them "for a breath of fresh air". wink. But I personally will not escort them and be with them while they smoke. I'm too busy and too anti-smoking for that. :)

[CHATSDALE]

at one facility you would find patients and staff wrapped in blankets directly out of the dooor but because of complaints by non-smokers they have directed that no smoking within 50' of entrance

i don't think that patches work all that well according to current smokers who have tried them..i don't know i went cold turkey long before they had patches

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

The nurses and CNA's who smoke do . . in fact, one RN is going by right now with a patient and both will soon be smoking.

I refuse to do it as I don't smoke. We do have designated smoking areas for staff and patients, 20 feet from the entrances . . . but this back door here usually has a few smokers just outside the door so my office gets smoke . . . .

steph

[Roy Fokker, BSN, RN]

Fabulous question - I'm with the Tweet-man on this one.

Dale: I think it's effective for certain people. Gum and patch didn't work for me - cold turkey seems to be good so far. But I know a girl who swears by the patch....

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

One of the facilities where I am associated went smoke-free in '04. But, patients were going on the curbs and smoking, dragging IV poles and the like. For liability reasons, the entity has now made designated smoking areas. But, pt. has to meet criteria to go smoke.

As for methods, the inhaler (nicotrol) is excellent. You have something to do with your hands and feel as if you are smoking even if you are not inhaling the actual smoke (yes, nicotine). I've prescribed this to many and seems to be an effective way to quit.

[SmilingBluEyes]

NO! never.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

No, it doesn't make sense for me to promote their unhealthy habit by inhaling the second hand effects of it myself.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

i don't think that patches work all that well according to current smokers who have tried them..i don't know i went cold turkey long before they had patches

We put them on patients frequently and it takes the edge off from what I can see, which is all I'm after. Whether or not it's effective in making them quit, I could not care less. It's not my job to make them wanna quit.

If they want to quit they will quit.