UW-PASS: UW Partnership to Assist & Serve Smokers

A $9 million P-50 grant from the National Cancer Institute is providing five years of funding for UW-CTRI to study various quit-smoking treatments in primary-care clinics throughout Wisconsin. In this study, led by Michael Fiore and Tim Baker, UW-CTRI will deliver seamless, cutting-edge treatments for all smokers, including those who are ready to quit and those who aren’t. Beginning in the summer of 2010, UW-CTRI began offering participation to patients who smoke and visit select primary-care clinics within three healthcare systems—Dean Health System, MercyCare Health System and Aurora Health Care. Medical assistants at partnering clinics identify smokers and ask if they're interested in being contacted about a study. They invite all smokers whether they are willing to quit or not. If the patient is interested, an e-mail is generated from the electronic medical record to UW-PASS staff, employed by UW-CTRI, who conduct screening, orientation, patient visits and follow up. The electronic medical records are supported by Epic Systems Corp. and Cerner.