starzrn

I think the hospital should make the pt buy their own electric cigarettes that have nicotine in them, but that don't harm others around them and insist this is what the patient must use while there. Where do we draw the line on other addictions...next we will have to sit there outside with them and watch them shoot up too...or finish another beer...give me a break! And yes, I think you should get an attorney!!!

I worked for a wound doctor who used to not wash his hands and put his hand on a bloody wound in an HIV pt, without gloves, then picked up the chart and went into the next room to see another patient. I reported him! Doctors are some of the worst infection prevention role models...you gave good advice!

Stealing a life seems just as important.

I set up a patient on Oxygen. There are 5 young adults who take care of the "grams" while the daughter works. When I went out there to set up a cpap last Monday, I instructed the family to smoke outside. On Friday when I went out to set up the patient on oxygen, I saw two people smoking inside then put it out quickly when I knocked on the door (saw them in window). The patient had a stroke and has difficulty speaking. She lives out in the family room where all of the young adults hang out. Some of them have children of their own and they are too exposed to the cigarette smoke. I started a similar topic on a different thread, but wondered how HH nurses would handle this. I am a DME nurse. If they do not follow instructions, would you file an APS report? i understand the patient lives with the daughter, but does she have any rights when she has obstructive sleep apnea and exposed to smoke?

I think this is the same paste as the itworkspaste which i tried recently and works like they say. it took my non cancerous mole off my arm. The scar is barely there now. great product!

Here is a great reminder of how we can educate families about the toxic effects of cig smoke and how to prevent it: http://www.yourhealthdetective.com/2010/06/new-post4.html Third-hand Smoke -- Invisible Toxic Gases...Protect Yourself! Cigarette Smoke 101: Second-hand smoke is the smoke from another's cigarette. Third-hand smoke is the invisible, toxic gases and particulates that cling to hair, skin, clothing, furnishings, automobile interiors, public places, aircraft -- AFTER smoking has ceased. Toxic chemicals in smoke linger and become embedded in people and everthing within the environment where the smoke was airborne and...are still inhaled after any visible smoke is long gone. Third-hand smoke endangers ANYONE who comes into contact with smokers, their homes, cars, or their possessions -- airing out a room or car by opening windows or using fans may make you feel the air is clean...it is NOT...it is STILL contaminated with toxic gases and particulates...Click to continue reading... Smoke Gets in More than Your Eyes! Two renowned pediatric immunologists, Dr. Stuart Abramson (Texas Children's Hospital), and Dr. Angela Stotts (Professor of family medicine, Houston University Texas Health Science Center), explain that being in a room where others have smoked exposes everyone to a high dose of toxic contaminants. They go on to explain that particles embed on objects such as furniture, drapes, clothing, hair, etc. of a smoker. Anyone in contact with the smoker or their belongings, receive exposure to the toxic chemicals and carcinogen residue long after the smoke has dissipated. Those that still smoke believe if they smoke outdoors, it poses no health-depleting effects to others. What they fail to understand is that the toxic smoke residues are still on their person in mega doses. Most often, it's the children who are affected to these harzardous chemicals because they live in homes of smokers, ride in their cars, crawl on the carpeting, and ingest particulates left by smoking...even if the room is aired out. Additionally, there is a real danger to an infant or child when a smoker holds or is in close proximity because the child makes direct contact with chemical residues. Health Threat to Others Besides Children Everyone is exposed when a smoker has been in an environment. The general public experiences third-hand smoke when they get into an elevator occupied by a smoker who just stepped out for a cigarette or when a colleague they work with in the same room/office takes a cigarette break. According to Dr. Jonathan P. Winickoff, assistant professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, cigarette smoke is SO TOXIC that the odor others notice clinging to the smoker is a message: "Your brain is telling you: 'Get away.'" What You Can Do to Avoid Toxic Air Cars should NEVER be used for smoking - toxic residues cling to everything in the interior. Fill the home or office with green plants like spider plants to freshen and filter airborne particulates. Only use low or no-VOC paint on walls in rooms where smoking has occurred - a healthy practice whether a smoker is present or not. If you purchase a home or office that is already painted, repaint with no-VOC paint and use a no-VOC sealer prior to painting. Cleaning furnishings that have been in a smoker's environment will not guarantee removal of all toxic substances. It is best to either replace furnishings or have them recovered and make sure all the interior support (foam, cotton batting, etc.) is all replaced. Do not use air fresheners of any type to "cover" odor, even if it's essential oils it may smell fresher but it's not. Be especially diligent when in public places that once allowed smoking (aircraft, restaurants, bars, trains, etc.) because everything you handle has the potential to still have toxic cigarette smoke residue.

Have you heard of third-hand-smoke? If they bring it back on their clothing, we are exposed!!! Polonium is a rare, radioactive element and polonium-210 is its most common form. Polonium strongly emits a very damaging type of radiation called alpha-radiation that can usually be blocked by thin layers of skin. But tobacco smoke contains traces of polonium, which become deposited inside their airways and deliver radiation directly to surrounding cells. The lungs of smokers can be exposed to four times more polonium than those of non-smokers and specific parts may get a hundred times more radiation. One study estimated that someone smoking one and half packs a day receives the equivalent amount of radiation as someone having 300 chest X-rays a year.

If the owner of a facility doesn't want smoke in or near their building, they should have the right to choose that as well!

I am praying for you guys right now who have stuck yourself. The more you talk about it , the better. Please keep us updated.

I am so sorry to about your husband and glad it helped. I agree diet isn't a magic bullet, but getting healthier has probably saved me $10,000 because I was on several meds and was having test after test done because of my heart, liver and labs. The last time I had labs done with insurance, it still cost me 900.00, then I switched doctors who only charged me 45/visit plus her cost for labs and I saved much more than using my own insurance. Did you have a copay?

I was a foster parent for years, but no group home experience.

I am sorry if I did not respond earlier. I really do appreciate your response and when you say report to social work do you mean CPS?

thank you for your honesty. how does it make you feel to know your children don't like the smell and that you are not sure if you are harming them by third hand smoke or not?

Really...after all of the "education" I am reading that smoking is on the rise nationwide for high schoolers http://www.whec.com/news/stories/S2001749.shtml?cat=565 Let me ask you a couple of questions that I really hope you answer 1. Do you believe third hand smoke could harm your children or not? 2. What exactly caused you to start smoking outside. Do you remember what you read or heard that changed your mind?

I was making a point that both can cause mind altering:uhoh3: