... seperate room with the door closed? Also will cooking with a gas stove be bad?
My Dad will be coming home soon with a portable oxygen tank. Is it safe to smoke cigarettes in a?
Question posted by rapido on 15 April 2012
Last updated on 1 January 2017
Added 17 April 2012:
Thanks everyone for the feedback.
Answers
endlessPred
15 April 2012
Hello. I am on continuous oxygen. I have been through respiratory therapy training sessions for people using oxygen at home. I disagree with what you are being told, in part.
The low down is this.
One. Never smoke in the house. Do not use any sprays, perfumes, or scented things like candles, oils, whatever. This is because the person on Oxy has Impaired breathing and particles in the air makes it worse. Even scented deodorants or shampoo is a real,issue.
Two. Windows need to be closed if windy or dusty or high pollen levels. Again, too many particles.
Three. The user is to never, ever smoke. A stray ash from a cigarette could land on their clothing and cause a fire up the cannula. Many an Oxy delivery guy and Pulmonologist will tell you how burnt lungs generally cannot be healed and facial burns are horrific. That means no one can smoke around the person as well, even outside. Since the wind can catch an ash. Obviously, grills, bond fires and the like are out of the question.
Four. The person has a three foot cloud of high concentrated oxygen around them. Because oxygen increases fires, but does not burn itself, anything too close will burn very strongly and cause a major fire in an instant. No chance to put it out.
Fifth. we have a gas stove. I stay in another room and can no longer use it or be in the kitchen when in use. People will say if you are five feet away. However, kitchen fires happen and the person on Oxy will not be able to avoid the flare back. This is like the speed of striking a match.
Six. There is plenty of info on using oxygen. Be sure to research it.
Any more questions, please write. I do wish him well and hope this is temporary. If not, best to get everyone on board as soon as possible. His well being will depend on it. And things will start improving. Be well.
kaismama
15 April 2012
I was being realistic, as a home health nurse, I know what people can really follow. If the person on oxygen isn't in the room where there is smoking, it shouldn't bother him, but I believe the concern was the oxygen, not the patient. Those things are important when the patient is near, but there is no way a family can totally change their behavior like you suggest. And I did say it was best if they went outside to smoke.
endlessPred
15 April 2012
I understand that. Didn't mean to offend. It is simply that I sat in classes with twenty people on oxygen and they were never told any of these things when they got their oxygen. Many were doing very dangerous things and one person in the group did have an ash fall and was in the ICU. And I did see people change what they were doing because of that raw and real incident.
It is very real not to have a smoker nearby. It makes one increase their oxygen flow. The smoker will carry it with breathing out and on their clothes. We don't know why the oxygen for this man, but bronchitis, COPD,asthma and the like are greatly affected by second hand smoke.
I don't expect people to change their lives. But sometimes with enough info they can make better decisions, and that can help a life. appreciate what you are saying and where you are coming from. This question triggered a different response in me since these are the basics.
Thanks to each of you.
DzooBaby
16 April 2012
I am a nurse too and have also done home health for years and endlessPred is correct! Smokers should NOT be smoking in the house with a person on O2. It is our job to be teaching them this, NOT to tell them it is ok to go in the other room and close the door! The smoker needs to go outside away from the person on O2 therapy-period (and we should always advocate smoking cessation for everyone!). Yes, it may be rare for a person on O2 to ignite but it is a possibility that we cant ignore. You also have to remember that some people will "push" what you tell them so it is best to instruct them to be strict. I dont want to be the nurse to tell a patients family that it is okay to smoke in the other room and then the person on O2 gets burned somehow! I once met a lady who would push her O2 canula down on her abdomen and then smoke a cigarette thinking that since the O2 wasnt on her face while she was smoking that it would be ok.
I put a stop to that practice right away! She was lucky that nothing ever happened but it was a great possibility. Just look at all the evidence for fires in the OR from cautery causing fires underneath blankets that O2 is flowing under or igniting the clouds of concentrated O2 in the air. You Tube should have video of some of them, I'd bet! They should have O2 restrictions posted on the door to their home and INSIST that everyone who comes within abides by them! That is ALWAYS my first instructions to a family with a member on oxygen. VERY good instructions endlessPred!! Way to go!
Kaismama, I dont mean to be harsh but you should know better. Yes, our patients and their families dont always follow our instructions but it is our job to give them the very best of instructions and encourage them to follow them and let them know the consequences of not following those instructions, even when the possibility is slim, it is still possible. They are there for a reason and we should always be advocates of doing things the correct way! I know that when you do home health, it is easy to get sloppier when you are in the home, but we have to remember that we are setting an example for the patients and their families.We need to encourage them to change their behaviors-that is part of the job. You go into the home and look for the ways that they need to make changes and tell them what changes to make and why. Home health is one of the BEST opportunities for teaching and we need to be teaching the correct way and not make short cuts.
endlessPred
16 April 2012
Kudos Dzoobaby. You must provide exemplary care for your patients! Keep it up. wish you were around here.
There is no such thing as too much information on a topic like this. That is why they have all patients receiving resp. Therapy at our clinic to go through this program. We learn to exercise our bodies within our,limits and all the ins and outs of oxygen use and maintenance.
The final test for the doubters is the straw test. Put a clip on the nose. Place a straw in the mouth. Now walk around or climb a flight of stairs. If there are smokers, go past them. Smell some room spray though the straw. Usually after they come back choking or even panicking over the restricted breathing and the intensity of the fumes, they don't question these rules.
It is a struggle to breathe and that is why one is on O2. Please help them by being considerate for their needs whether you provide or receive service. That is what Dzoobaby is saying. I agree completely.
kaismama
16 April 2012
I've been doing this too long I guess, I know what happens after you talk till your blue in the face, and I'm getting tired. I had a guy greet me at the door with oxygen in his nose and a cigarette in his mouth. After I told him to give me the cigarette while I was outside, I went in. I never said smoke around the patient, and I did say its best to go outside. I take care of a lady at home, for over 5 yrs now, in a one level home. I can stop people from smoking in her room, but telling the rest of the family, is useless, they are thick headed, and smoke in the kitchen. Sometimes you can't get them to listen no matter how harsh you are with them.
endlessPred
16 April 2012
Kaisama, thanks. I figured you were smart about this. We do get complacent or tired of a struggle. I appreciate that.
The straw test really does work. I saw people who come with the O2 user come back the next week and confess how selfish or foolish they were. It can be a major transition for someone. Even one person changing is pretty good. I also suggest leaving or sharing pictures of burn victims which we had to see. Because compassion isn't being nice, compassion is doing what it takes to help someone.
Can you help the fool with the cig and the O2? No, but someone else might figure it out. After all they haven't stopped smoking anyway, right?
Oh well, the world is full of people who listen and those who don't. How you nurses deal with that is a wonder. Thanks to both of you for your dedication.
And to our friend who started this discussion. Feel free to ask more questions as they arrive. We got lots to share, ,ok?
DzooBaby
17 April 2012
kaismama, I know what you mean. Some people are just NOT going to change no matter what you tell them but you still have to remind them of the correct way and remind them of the consequences of not following the correct way and DOCUMENT that you taught this at each and every visit, that way if something does happen, it wont come back on you because you have documented proof that you tried to tell them every visit. We cant MAKE them change but we have to keep trying! It is frustrating to teach people who dont want to change, I know! I've been doing this for 25 years! Some people you are better off banging your head against a rock-you'll get further! You cant change them but we always have to CYA and be sure to keep trying to tell them the right way.
Maybe some day it will penetrate that thick leather they call a skull! lol It is easier to fall into becoming a bit sloppy out in the field but just remember to treat people in the same manner as you would want your mother or grandmother treated and never forget your own code of honor and honesty and always set the best example. Thats all you can do. You cant just placate them and tell them what they want to hear. If there was a fire in that home after you told them it was ok to go into the other room, you will find yourself in court (plus you would fell terrible I am sure!) We have to tell them the right way then it is up to them to do what they are going to do but at least you have covered all of your bases! You are a good nurse, I am sure! :)
Aleahsalgado
11 Nov 2016
Hi IM A CAREGIVER I WORK WITH A CLIENT WHO HAS SEIZURES ALL THE TIME AND HE HAS TWO OXYGEN TANKS JUST IN CASE HE NEEDS IT MY QUESTION IS MY CLIENTS MOM SMOKES LIKE CRAZY BUT IT SAYS ON THE WINDOWS DO NOT SMOKE OXYGEN BUT THIS LADY HERE SMOKE ALOT ALLL DAY
Jbxes
1 Jan 2017
Living alone and ordering take out sounds like the best option. Hoping to God that nobody walks by your house with a cigarette or has a bbq next door, you scared little b$!/?
kaismama
15 April 2012
I would just keep him out of the kitchen when cooking. As for smoking in another room, probably its ok, but its smarter to go outside. If a fire would start in the room where the smoker is, once it hit where your father was, the oxygen would support combustion.
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