Smelly Co-Worker

[Bipley]

What would you all do about a co-worker with an odor problem?

This gal LOOKS clean but she smells BAD. The beginning of the shift is fine, the middle of the shift and things get bad. I see her sneak off to the bathroom with BO Juice in hand but she still smells bad.

It isn't always body odor. Sometimes it is but it is something different. I feel weird about explaining exactly what it is, but it is usually a very strong, different odor. Please understand, this is not once every now and again, this is daily. It's a rare day that there is no odor.

To my knowledge we have never had a patient complaint, but I don't know why. She is a sweet nurse, very good at what she does, very skilled at her profession, but she stinks!

I really don't think it is a lack of showering, she comes to work and smells fine. Within a few hours it is bad.

Suggestions on how to tell her? I don't want to hurt her feelings but geez...

[nuberianne_RN]

I remember seeing a couple episodes of Dateline or some other news shows that discussed a rare condition of b.o. The odor was described as rotten fish. Sad thing is there is no known cause or cure. :uhoh21: I felt so sorry for the people suffering from it. They were very aware of the problem, but only could use short term fixes that did not last for more than an hour or two.

[Catsmeow]

Why not leave an anonymous letter stating that you are sure that she is aware of her problem and that you think you may know the cure and that it is something she should look into. That way you don't have to get involved personally and she will learn about the possible solution to her problem. I can't imaging having something like that - it must be hell on earth. I'm sure she would be grateful for something that could possibly cure her of this problem. If you have trouble with tact, this is a great way to go. You can sit down and carefully write out a letter of care and concern.

If you do any of this anonymously I fear the girl would quit for embarressment of wondering if the whole hospital had discussed it behind her back. (They probly have but, ack, I mean she'd be looking over her shoulder endlessly.) Probly better coming from one person.

Cats

[nadja9]

whew! that is pretty bad...

probably a lady partsl problem eh? well, that is certainly personal.

I think I will agree that maybe you should start a conversation with her non-chalant like about "smelly probs", maybe refer to a previous pt...see if she picks up on the clue.

If all else fails, take a deep breath (maybe not directly around her) and then pull her to the side and talk to her like you would a patient..."Look, I have something I want to talk to you about. I have noticed that after you work for sometime you tend to run to the bathroom with ___. Is there something going on that you would like to talk to a friend about. I am concerned."

Gooooooooooooooo Soldierswife - the above is an excellent therapeutic response. :) :) :)

[RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN]

omgosh...look at the ad above this thread...not so sure everyone can see...but it says... "fishy lady partsl odor?......www.enzara.com..."

hhmmm....is there someone that monitors the discussion and puts in the ad?

weird.

I do see the ad, so not funny. Weird, I agree.

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

So, does anyone have any treatments for this issue or educational material information?

We already discussed that she knows she has a problem and is trying to deal with it. Right now we only know that she is using topical deoderants, but this sounds like a systemic issue. If you are going to approach her, maybe you can do a little reasearch of your own and present her with it in a friendly, I'd like to help you or understand kind of way. Lets post suggestions.

Of course, seeing a gyne doc should be #1. Maybe a culture and antibiotics are in order. How about using pads that are odor absorbing? Watching the types of food she is eating, etc.

BTW..I worked with a CNA that smelled like butt. No she didn't have gas or accidently got something on herself after working with a pt, but she honestly smelled like but. After watching her do pt care or should I say not doing pt care after said pts had a BM I think I finally understood.

People would make jokes up at the nurses station ....oh who smells, check your shoes or self or even "I smell but" I mention to her about her pt care that after inct of BM good old wipe down of the area would take care of butt odors. I think she got it after a while. :rotfl:

[kwagner_51]

I DID IT!! Here is the email and the link. My dd got p4ssed off because she thot someone else was sending it to me! :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Karen,

A co-worker of yours has informed us that you have level 10 body odor, where 1 is old lady smell and 10 is barbecuing roadkill skunk.

This person's suggestion is for you to stop trying to cover it up.

Check out our help section for other information on dealing with BO problems!

Here is the help section they led me to:

Need help? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions!

Isn't this mean?

It depends on how you look at it. Would you rather your friends didn't tell you that you have BO and just talked about you behind your back?

Why do I have to register to use this site?

We strongly believe in using email responsibly. To prevent people sending out hundreds of notifications with no way to track them or prevent them, we require registration with a valid email address.

Who said I have BO?! Tell me!

YouHaveBO is an anonymous service. We keep that information private.

Eww, you're hella shady, gurl!

You've just gotten home from a rave, haven't you.

People keep sending me BO notifications, but I really don't stink! How can I make the notifications stop??

Try using our Address Blocker. Just enter your email address and we'll send you instructions to complete the process.

That would work except that everything @mydomain goes to me!

We thought of that too! Try our Domain Blocker. Give us a domain and we'll email the postmaster@ that domain. This works for site administrators who don't want any email from us sent to their domains also.

I log in but every time I try to submit a notification, it says I'm not logged in!

You need a browser that accept cookies, or you need to configure your browser to accept cookies from our site.

Why do you require independent verification?

Would you want to be notified that you stink without independent verification?

What causes stank BO?

BO is caused by the microorganisms that love to grow in warm, moist places like your armpits.

How can I get rid of my noxious odor?

Your best bet is to always bathe or shower daily using antibacterial soap and use a deodorant that contains an antibacterial agent, such as Triclosan or chlorhexidine.

Even doing that, I still reek!

Strong BO can also be caused by other health factors. See your doctor!

What are some resources online about body odor?

Try these:

Alice at Columbia answers a student question about BO.

Dr Weil has some suggestion about less-common sources of BO.

Zaphealth.com has a detailed explanation of the causes and solutions of BO.

HealthWorld has a list of common causes and some dietary suggestions.

WebMD has an article on the causes and solutions

Online drugstores that carry deodorant and antibacterial soap products:

Drugstore.com

Mothernature.com

CVS

Planet RX

Sav-Ondrugs

more.com

Personal Hygiene at shop.yahoo.com

What deodorant do YOU use?

Old Spice High Endurance

So there you have it!

________________________________________________

In His grace,

Karen

[nurse4theplanet, RN]

darn! so no singing funny stinky animated email greeting eh?:chuckle

informative but still mean IMO. Yes, definitely not the route to go with this one. I agree with others that think she may be too imbarrassed to see a doctor and is probably battling this alone with much emotional strife.

I stand by my oppinion to approach her in a therapeutic way. She needs to know she has a friend who is not going to gossip about her behind her back. And think of how great it would be if you were able to help her get rid of the problem?

[SmilingBluEyes]

I think you are 100% correct, Soldierswife. It's a lot kinder and professional to approach her on a personal and one-on-one level than to talk behind her or send her nasty emails, which is juvenile, passive-aggressive and totally mean.

[MarySunshine]

Bipley,

I don't know if you are friendly enough with her to invite her to lunch, but I liked that idea. If I was her, I would want the following (painful though it would be!):

Take her aside (VERY privately) and say that you needed to talk to her about something "of a private nature". Say strait out that this is an embarassing conversation, but you have noticed something you think you can help her with. Blame it on a sensitive nose and your constant nursing assessment skills (this may soften the blow a bit). But that you have noticed that she seems to be battling the smell of some sort of infection (which you recognize from other patients....) and that you would like to help her with this, since often (you should say this) healthcare workers don't take good care of themselves because they are so concerned with helping others. Also, talk about it in sort of an "us women" way. That's what I'd do, and I would hate every minute, but it is the kind thing.

[LPN1974, LPN]

Bipley,

I don't know if you are friendly enough with her to invite her to lunch, but I liked that idea. If I was her, I would want the following (painful though it would be!):

Take her aside (VERY privately) and say that you needed to talk to her about something "of a private nature". Say strait out that this is an embarassing conversation, but you have noticed something you think you can help her with. Blame it on a sensitive nose and your constant nursing assessment skills (this may soften the blow a bit). But that you have noticed that she seems to be battling the smell of some sort of infection (which you recognize from other patients....) and that you would like to help her with this, since often (you should say this) healthcare workers don't take good care of themselves because they are so concerned with helping others. Also, talk about it in sort of an "us women" way. That's what I'd do, and I would hate every minute, but it is the kind thing.

MarySunshine....you have a good way with words. I like your reply and suggestions.

It must be a pleasure to have you as a co-worker.

If I had a problem I would want you to be the one to tell me about it, you seem like you would do it in the kindest way possible.

I did a search on body odor/fish smell and found this article.

There is a condition call bromidrosis.

http://www.looksmartcollegesports.com/p/articles/mi_m1608/is_5_19/ai_100545110#continue

[RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN]

Bipley,

I don't know if you are friendly enough with her to invite her to lunch, but I liked that idea. If I was her, I would want the following (painful though it would be!):

Take her aside (VERY privately) and say that you needed to talk to her about something "of a private nature". Say strait out that this is an embarassing conversation, but you have noticed something you think you can help her with. Blame it on a sensitive nose and your constant nursing assessment skills (this may soften the blow a bit). But that you have noticed that she seems to be battling the smell of some sort of infection (which you recognize from other patients....) and that you would like to help her with this, since often (you should say this) healthcare workers don't take good care of themselves because they are so concerned with helping others. Also, talk about it in sort of an "us women" way. That's what I'd do, and I would hate every minute, but it is the kind thing.

I agree, seems like the proper and best way to handle the situation. :)

[jnette, ASN, EMT-I]

I think you are 100% correct, Soldierswife. It's a lot kinder and professional to approach her on a personal and one-on-one level than to talk behind her or send her nasty emails, which is juvenile, passive-aggressive and totally mean.

If you do any of this anonymously I fear the girl would quit for embarressment of wondering if the whole hospital had discussed it behind her back. (They probly have but, ack, I mean she'd be looking over her shoulder endlessly.) Probly better coming from one person.

Cats

I totally agree with teh above, and Zenman's response as well in this.

I've jsut read this entire thread, and truly, my heart goes out to this nurse. I can't imagine the isolation and humiliation she must live with on a daily basis. This is beyond sad, it is truly heartwrenching.

As you suggest, Bipley, I must agree that she IS acutely and most painfully aware of the offensive odor.

I, too, feel strongly that this must be done tactfully by ONE courageous colleague. Not anonymously, no "hints", "letters", nothing of that sort.

A face to face done quietly and graciously would be far more productive and would spare her feelings as well as her worries over who all might be involved in the "anonymous conspiracy".

Since I have recognized your HEART in this concern, I feel that you would be able to pull this off. Don't be so hard on your self. Your straightforwardness is just what is needed in this situation. As long as you can summon up graciousness with the straightforwardness, you'll do FINE.

I see no reason why you couldn't take her aside in a friendly manner, and ask to speak wioth her privately. This might be best done after you both leave for the day.. perhaps outside the hospital in the park, or some other private area.

You could start by telling her that what you are wanting to discuss is private, and that you in no means intend to cause her pain or embarrassment. Reassure her that what you are about to discuss is not meant to belittle her or put her on the spot, but that you are reaching out to her as a friend and colleague. You can even share how you have tossed and turned at night trying to find the courage and the words to speak with her about such a private and delicate matter.

Share with her what you have noticed and that you feel she is aware of the problem, as noticed by her purposeful avoidance behaviors, etc.,but that she might not know just what more she can do about it.

Again, reassure her GENTLY that you are talking with her as a FRIEND, and a nurse, and that you feel she must certainly be suffering emotionally from this as well. And that because she is such a kind person, and great nurse, you could no longer bear to remain silent and allow HER to continue to suffer in emotional, even physical isolation.

Explain gently to her that you truly CARE about her, and about her condition, whatever it may be.

Ask her if she has been seen about this condition, and if she would be willing to share with you what the dx. is as well as the tx. recommended.

Assure her that your conversation with her is CONFIDENTIAL and that your only intention here is to offer help, encouragement, assistance, and friendship. That you might be able to help her persue a course of action she might not have had access to yet.

Then share again about the patient you had mentioned, and what the course of action was there.

This way, she has had a door opened for her, and she knows she can come to you with any further questions, concerns, or simply for advice.

I truly feel it would be a tremendous relief to her, a huge weight off her shoulders, and that instead of being offended, she would be grateful that you had enough empathy and concern for her, to gather up the courage to addresse it with her.

And it would certainly be a relief to you as well, knowing that it HAS been addressed, and that you no longer have to tiptoe around the issue.

I believe you've got what it takes, Bipley. If your spoken words don't seem to come across the way you want them to, just open up your heart and allow the HEART to speak.

It works. Shut up, Mouth... Speak, my Heart. :kiss