Non smoker working in a smoker's home

alintanurse · Feb 28, 2005

The HHA that I work for does not allow smoking during a home visit,this is made clear to the patient upon admission.

Cmyst · Feb 28, 2005

Even if no one is actively smoking, those who are sensitive to tobacco smoke have a hard time in a home where it has permeated the upholstery, air, and clothing.

Does your employer know about your sensitivity to cigarette smoke?

Is it possible for you to be assigned only to strictly non-smoking homes, where no smokers reside?

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Mar 1, 2005

I'd get my doctor to write me a note stating that you are not allowed to work in homes of smokers due to ______ condition.

I personally have never asked a pt not to smoke while in their home. I just don't feel like it is my place to tell them how to behave in their own home. Besides, I may control the pt, but what about their family members?

It has damn near killed me, but then again, the longest I am there is for an admit visit, I don't do shifts in the home, so I guess, if they want a nurse or aide, there do need to be some rules established.

I am a former smoker, and I am really sensitive to it now. A few tiomes I came home, and my kids accused me of smoking I smelled so bad from those homes.

How is it some companies can make that a rule? It doesn't violate "Client's Rights?"

Traveler · Mar 5, 2005

I always thought it was quite a contradiction.....Many restaurants and bars are now smoke free because of the employees. Yet in home health most of us are exposed to second hand smoke. As hoolahan stated, I too have never asked someone not to smoke in their home since it is their home. Sometimes the patient or family will ask if I mind- most often not. If I am going to be in there for a short visit I do my best to deal with it. If it is a long infusion I often go to my car to do paperwork.

That being said though, I do not have resp. problems or anything like asthma. I would imagine that you could address this with your employer and with the patients on an individual basis.

vermonthiker · Mar 5, 2005

Thanks for all of your replies.

I totally agree that I don't have the right to tell people what do to in their own homes. That's why I'm so concerned about saying anything.

Growing up my father smoked in our house and I was a sickly kid, had respitory problems, and non of us knew it was connected to the smoke until I somehow got better after moving out. Duh :uhoh3:

I guess I just didn't want to make big deal about it, seeing as I'm new. However, I now realize I really have to make an issue, because it is an issue. I'm going to talk to my boss (haven't started yet) and maybe Dr if I need to.

I'm more sensitive to smoke now than ever. If I walk into a smokers' home I need to walk out right away,, otherwise I'll get dizzy and vomit. (Yep it's happened more than once) I don't think that will make a good impression!! :chuckle

donmurray · Mar 5, 2005

It may be the patient's home, but it's your workplace too, and the least they can do is not smoking whilst you are actually on the premises. Your employer is sending you there, and they should back you in ensuring that your exposure to the hazard is minimised.

magic · Mar 8, 2005

I'm a pre-nursing student starting in Sept 05, and I'm also about to start a new job as an aide with a home health agency. I'm exicted about it, but my biggest concern is smoke filled homes. I get awfully sick around cig smoke, even if it's just in the air, and no one is actually lighting up around me. I was wonder how you non-smokers deal with smoke filled homes. Thanks!

Patient's homes are private residences and not sterile environments. Working in home health you may come across many unpleasant surroundings in a patient's home. It is not our place to judge. You will have to get used to working in unusual environments or find another place to work. Just my observation after 16 years in home health and still loving it. :)

London Turtle · Mar 10, 2005

I've worked in home health a long time and never have I minded the smoked up atmosphere near as much as the filth, the roaches, bed bugs, and other creepy crawleys. I also don't like dogs that jump on you or a patient that has to have a dog in their lap while I'm trying to do an assessment. Or you sit on the couch and get up just to find dog or cat hair all over your clothes. Just recently, I had a patient who would not controll her dog, and my assessment was not so good trying to hear a blood pressure with a dog on her shoulder.etc, etc... She realized my assessment was lacking, and complained to me about it, so I asked her if she would expect her Doctor to do an assessment with her dog jumping all over her. She got the point and from now on the dog is locked in the bathroom while I'm there.

mattsmom81 · Mar 10, 2005

I feel for you and yours is one of the reasons I could not tolerate home health. The whole home visit thing was something I could not control at all, and I never knew WHAT I was going to walk into...crazies, druggies, hostile neighborhoods, etc.

I don't know if your agency will support your doctor's note to keep you out of smoking homes but guess its worth a try. You'll find out fast if they support you or not. Usually its all about 'resident's rights' and NOT the healthcare workers'.

I still recall the days of smoke filled report and patient rooms in the hospitals and it was terrible for those of us sensitive to smoke. Actually I'd like to see a class action suit against the hospitals that required we work in these environments and resulted in long term lung damage (chronic bronchitis in my case and no, I never smoked). It worked for the airline stewardesses. Maybe we could sue the AHA (American Hospital Association) for allowing it for so many years..wishful thinking, eh? :rotfl:

alintanurse · Mar 11, 2005

It may be the patient's home, but it's your workplace too, and the least they can do is not smoking whilst you are actually on the premises. Your employer is sending you there, and they should back you in ensuring that your exposure to the hazard is minimised.

I completely agree! Most patients understand and are cooperative anyway.