Long-Term Care

Proper smoking procedures prevent deaths and injuries at LTC facilities

LTC Nursing Assistant Trainer, August 14, 2008

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Many long-term care facilities are now smoke free and will no longer accept residents who smoke, but most have grandfathered in residents who were known smokers when the facility policies changed. Every year, a number of lawsuits are filed related to resident injuries and deaths as a result of unsupervised or unsafe smoking habits. Some of these are settled with contributory negligence findings, but in a surprising number, the facility is found to be at fault. Consider the following procedures for residents who smoke:
 
  • Retain smoking materials and sources of ignition, even for competent residents.
  • Monitor visitors; make sure they do not provide smoking material or lighters to the residents.
  • Assess and document resident dexterity, skills, and abilities to use smoking materials, and for unsafe smoking behavior.
  • Designate a smoking area. Post a sign on the door. Consider also posting a schedule for when the room is open. Have staff document supervision of resident smoking on a sign-in sheet.
  • Keep a fire extinguisher in the smoking area and be sure staff know how to use it.
  • Plan smoking times carefully for residents who use oxygen. The resident’s clothing will absorb extra oxygen. Avoid smoking for 30 minutes after oxygen is administered.

This tip is from HCPro’s book, The Long-Term Care Legal Desk Reference. 



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