May 20, 2015

 

I wish to inquire what your  policies are with employees wearing perfume to work or patients wearing it in your health care facilities.  I have several employees in our health care facilities who are highly sensitive to perfume, in particular Patchouli.  Each year we have employees evaluated in the ED  for reactive airway issues related to their exposure to co-worker or patient perfumes. 

 

We have a policy in place encouraging staff to not wear perfume when performing direct patient care.  We have signage posted stating “Fragrance is prohibited” in areas where staff, with high sensitivity to perfume, are working.  Staff still come in wearing perfume. 

 

When it comes to our perfume wearing patients, staff are uncomfortable communicating how perfume smell effects themselves or their co-workers or other patients.  More and more individuals report increased sensitivity to perfume.

 

Are any of you having similar issues?  If so, would you let me know how it’s handled where you work?

 

Warm Regards,

 

Debbra Tatum, BSN RN

GSRMC Employee Health

541-768-5279 - Direct Line

541-768-5173 - Front Desk

dtatum@samhealth.org

 

What ever task you do – Be mindful of safety!

 


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