Environmental Insanity!!

eeffoc_emmig · Dec 23, 2013

OMG folks, we've had a bit of a warm snap this weekend in the northeast US, up to 68F. I'm on an overnight shift now (52F outside now) and these people, who usually don't heat their house well enough for me anyway, have their freakin' AIR CONDITIONER on!! I'm going to freeze to death! I didn't bring my winter coat b/c of the mild weather, but I'm about to go outside to warm up!
What odd climate situations have you been in? Please share, misery loves company! ;D

It's unseasonably warm here, too. I have an electric blanket at my case...they keep the kid's room at 62 degrees at night year round. I freeze to death every night!

ventmommy · Dec 23, 2013

Haha, I had my A/C on as well!

If your patient has an oxygen compressor, turn it around so the exhaust is facing you. It puts out a tremendous amount of heat. One of my son's nurses did this (not sure why, his room was always so much warmer than the rest of the house) and it worked for her.

CloudySue · Dec 24, 2013

I usually bring my electric blanket to cold cases, but I didn't think that would have been the problem on a "warm" day. The O2 compressor is in the hallway, to keep the room from getting too warm!

ceebeejay · Dec 26, 2013

Spinal damage causes inadequate temperature regulation. I work in 80 degree temps most days. I go to work in camisols and capris in the winter.

SDALPN · Dec 26, 2013

Most homes I work in are insanely cold or hot. It's rare to see a home where the temp is in the middle. The home is either in the upper 80s or low 60s. I document the temp in the home because these extremes are bad for some patients.

I had a pt the other day sweating in a home that was 90 degrees while the parent kept telling me "I don't know why she sweats so bad".

On the other extreme, I had a case where the mom was extremely obese (800lbs...couldn't fit through the door anymore). The mom would blame the child for needing it that cold when it seemed the mom would just get hot due to her size. The kid would be shivering, so I don't think he needed it that cold. So I document the patients reaction to the temp in case anything ever happens. I also try to educate the parents on how temperature effects the patients. I notify the agency if the temp is too extreme as well. The families also need to understand that its our workplace and we need to be comfortable. I get cranky when I'm hot and don't want to move around, so I do less. When its too cold, I want to ball myself up to keep warm. My fingers turn blue in some of these cold homes!

Some states have laws on the temps in the workplace and in private homes. You can look into that and use it if needed.

Ventmommy, I've sat by the o2 concentrator plenty of times. I also will position my chair (if possible) by a window or vent...or far away from it. I had a pt in a hot home and would put her fan on me when she slept and wasn't using it.

CloudySue · Dec 27, 2013

One client I have has a mitochondrial disorder and will get feverish if he's warm. If his ax temp is above 97F he gets flushed and his HR and RR skyrockets. Mom leaves his two windows cracked 3 inches in temps I've seen as low as 30F outside, with just heavy drapes. I document when it's cold out. That said, his fingers and toes stay nice and toasty. Fortunately she doesn't make anyone stay in there with him, he has an a/v monitor and we monitor him from downstairs. But going in to render care is very uncomfortable!

cazach0122 · Dec 27, 2013

Spinal damage causes inadequate temperature regulation. I work in 80 degree temps most days. I go to work in camisols and capris in the winter.

Yup, my quad patient's room is usually between 80-85F. I'm already fairly sensitive to heat so I sweat like crazy when I'm working with him!! I actually apologized for all the sweat the first time I worked there. I also do NOT wear my gray scrubs

Then, on the contrary, the rest of the house is freezing. I sit out in the living room (with a baby monitor) in a sweatshirt and a blanket.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Dec 27, 2013

Ha! As I'm reading this thread I'm huddled in my parka at my PDN job. The flipping furnace comes on every five minutes, but the first minute blows all the accumulated COLD air right on me. There's no escape as there's only just the one couch in the living room, no other seating. I took my gloves off to type this.