Clinics
and Hospitals Can Have a Positive Impact on Tobacco Quit Rates
“There
has never been a better time for health professionals to help their
patients break free from the deadly chronic disease we know as tobacco
addiction.”
-- David Satcher,
MD, PhD, former U.S. Surgeon General
By developing supportive
systems for tobacco treatment, clinics create an environment where tobacco
dependence can be routinely addressed.
Since smoking inhibits
healing, you can help your patients heal faster by helping them to quit.
The Joint Commission
has developed
requirements for hospitals to provide smoking cessation counseling to
patients admitted with diagnoses of heart attack, congestive heart failure
and community acquired pneumonia. JCAHO is also following up with a
study of how hospitals are meeting these requirements.
By treating tobacco
dependence as a part of standard care, you can meet requirements and
help your patients live longer, healthier lives.
UW-CTRI outreach
specialists are located in your area to help you get started. Click
here for more.
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