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 on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) has recently 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.

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