What about smoking?

That's a good question, CapeCod Mermaid:smokin: I am thinking of trying home health nursing this summer. I know I get headaches when I am in the presence of cigarette smoking. I am hoping that someone who works in home health nursing will answer this question. I am hoping that I will be able to ask folks not to smoke around me.

i just started orientation with a home health agency. we were told to always keep ourselves safe. the instructor said we are 'within our rights' to ask the patient or the family to put their dog or cat in another room while we are there. but, when i asked if we could tell/ask the patient or family not to smoke cigarettes when we are there, the instructor said we could ask but it was a more delicate situation. what??? unless their dog is vicious or rabid, having the dog in the room presents no possibility of harm to me. being present in the room where someone is smoking a cigarette most certainly can harm me. how do all y'all deal with this?

well it's a bit delicate. number one it is their home. even though you are there to help, you are still considered a guest. you would hope that everyone would just be considerate and not smoke but unfortunately it's not always the case.

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[color=#483d8b]i would politely ask if they could not smoke while i'm there. most people will oblige but you will get people that will refuse. it's then up to you whether you can stay and do the visit or not.

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[color=#483d8b]i am an ex smoker and i hate being around smoke at all. most pt's won't smoke but even if they just finished smoking, it's still in the air.

[color=#483d8b]it's just one of those annoyances that you have to deal with. thankfully, i don't have that many that smoke. i hate going home stinking!

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Oh no!!!!! I'm sorry to hear the bad news! That's right! I had forgotten about the awful smell even though a person is not smoking in front of you. I remember now going to a friend's house and even though she didn't smoke while I was in her home, the stench was unbearable!!!!!!

You're right, it is delicate. When we are in the patient's home they have the right to do what ever they want. And, the smell travels with you to the rest of your patients. I have appologized to other patients before because I smell like I smoked. I don't smoke! And if I can smell it on myself I know other patient's can when I am seeking them, especially when I get close to do their assessment. I would suggest to CapeCodMermaid to check for agency policy on how to handle this. Otherwise the only thing that can be done is to ask and hope they don't smoke while you're there.

I work as a home care nurse in Canada and we have protection under a second hand smoke act for employees. All, our patients are requested, in writing, to not smoke while the nurse is there. If this request is refused, we have the right, under the act, to refuse to visit these patients. My health is very important, so if in your case, I would fight for my rights.