Smoking in a hospital, whats the deal. Your supposed to be healthcare providers. How can you tell a patient that smoking is bad for them when they see smoking as they walk in the hospital. Or when your treating them, you smell like cigarete smoke. That is not professional. Should smoking be banned from hospitals?
2007-12-12 12:24:39 · 5 answers · asked by reyech 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
I don't think smoking should be banned entirely. That's not fair to the people who choose to smoke, and yes, it is a choice they have the right to make.
The hospital near where I live in Tampa has an interesting tactic which I can't tell if it was intentional or not... in the past few weeks I have had to take a couple late-night trips to the ER for friends with injuries and allergic reactions to things... they have a little gazebo outside which is the only area where smoking is allowed on the property... and it's right next to some kind of water pump or pneumatic device. I don't know what it is, but it's loud as hell and scares the smokers when it goes off (every 15 minutes). I just thought that was interesting... I don't know what was there, first... the pump or the designated smoking area...
Anyway.. to answer your question: I can't think of any hospital where it would be legal to smoke indoors. Almost all healthcare facilities which allow smoking have designated areas away from the entrances and exits of the building.
Yes, it's unprofessional for a healthcare provider to smoke -- almost every respiratory therapist I've ever met is a heavy smoker, though... go figure -- but it's a personal choice. As far as the odor is concerned, it would be just as unprofessional for your doctor not to bathe... or to have tattoos or piercings... or a number of things that don't harm you but are potential annoyances for their patients. In any case, it is his/her choice and no... smoking shouldn't be banned from hospital properties as long as it is done in the designated areas away from the entrances and exits.
I'd rather have a smelly doctor than a smelly, angry, doctor jonesing for nicotine while he's working on me.
2007-12-12 12:41:28 · answer #1 · answered by Allo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Smoking is banned inside of most hospitals, but hospitals also know that guests, patients and employees often smoke so there is usually a smoking area outside. Psychiatrists can sign orders for their patients to allow them to smoke. If someone is recovering from drug or alcohol abuse, smoking is seen as a substitute habit that at least is not illegal or intoxicating, and it becomes a replacement for the drugs or alcohol. But usually substance abusers smoke tobacco anyway. They just smoke more of it when they can't have their fix.
The issue is similar to the many police cars I see exceeding the speed limit (when not in persuit), failing to use turn signals, etc. Breaking all sorts of traffice rules that you and I would get tickets for. They're not living by example either!
2007-12-12 20:30:04 · answer #2 · answered by Stimpy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot of hospitals are doing that...cant even smoke on the property..
2007-12-12 20:30:20 · answer #3 · answered by carpal-tunnel-provider 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Doctors, as a group, have the highest rate of drug addiction in the country. I don't think the sight of a doctor having a smoke would bother me. Seeing one with his eyes pinned, would make me think about getting another one.
2007-12-12 21:02:50 · answer #4 · answered by Bob H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is typical do as I say not as I do.
2007-12-12 20:40:27 · answer #5 · answered by grizzliesgurl 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋