I am writing in response to the article "Second-hand smoke exposure: Response from home care, hospice, & therapeutic group home nurses," by L'Heureux that was featured in the February 2009 issue of Home Healthcare Nurse. The article provides informative accounts, reported by nurses in the field. The article discusses the nurses' evolving role, concerning personal occupational safety, in the different home care and therapeutic group settings.
Today, second-hand smoke exposure has become a national concern. The continued risks to persons exposed to second-hand smoke exposure have pushed lawmakers to pass legislation to protect the general public. In the same regard, the nursing profession has a duty to protect nurses, in the occupational environment, from the same risks. A study conducted by Sarna and Lillington cited tobacco use as the leading cause of preventable death in the United States and advised nurse researchers to promote awareness on decreasing exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Sarna & Lillington, 2002).
L'Heureux addresses many risks and growing concerns of second-hand exposure for the nursing provider. What I found to be most alarming were the rationales, reported by the providing nurses, for not setting boundaries with their clients, in order to promote a smokefree occupational environment. This passive approach does not protect the healthcare provider or the client. Is second-hand smoke exposure to be considered simply an occupational hazard, such as a needle stick? Even if so, do not other occupational hazards have protective measures in place to limit exposure to a hazard? It has been my experience that acknowledgment of hazards leads to a safer occupational environment.
The article does a good job in alerting the reader of the importance of becoming an advocate for a smokefree occupational environment for nurses. The author provides interventions that would benefit the profession and the community. Nurses must continue to be proactive in their stance on occupational safety.
Jemma Atterbury, RN BSN
student Saint Anthony College of Nursing
[email protected]
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