329715
Implementation of Comprehensive Inpatient Tobacco Cessation Services Following Joint Commission Recommendations: Lessons Learned and Recommendations
Description: In 2014, the Medical University of South Carolina implemented a tobacco cessation service modelled after the JC-recommended standard. Operationally, the program uses electronic health records to automatically identify all tobacco users at admission, refer patients to an inpatient tobacco counselor, and deliver post-discharge calls to assess smoking status and offer referral to tobacco cessation support services.
Lessons Learned: In 2014, the program screened 18,091 patients for tobacco use, identified 4,735 current tobacco users (23%), and provided inpatient and/or phone support to 3,262 patients (69% of tobacco users). One-month follow-up calls were completed with 42% of patients. A number of valuable lessons learned were identified. First, involvement of those in charge of hospital electronic health records was essential. Second, it is important to develop quality indicators and systems for continuous quality improvement. Third, with a single bedside counselor we were only able to reach 35% of tobacco users during their hospital stay. Finally, phone follow-up after discharge is challenging with less than a 50% response rate. Other methods are currently being explored to increase response to follow up contact (i.e. e-mail, texting).
Recommendations: Delivery of JC-recommended tobacco cessation services was feasible in a large teaching hospital. Bedside counseling is important, as smoking relapse was 50% lower in patients who saw the counselor than in those who did not. Studies are underway to investigate the impact of the service on clinical outcomes such as hospital readmission rates.
Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and preventionConduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Program planning
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines
Learning Objectives:
Describe the key components of a comprehensive inpatient tobacco cessation intervention as defined by Joint Commission recommendations.
Discuss at least three factors to consider when designing and implementing a comprehensive inpatient tobacco cessation program.
Keyword(s): Tobacco Control, Health Care Delivery
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been a cancer prevention and control researcher for approximately ten years. In addiiton, I have substantial experience and training in the fields of epidemiology and health services research. Among my scientific interests has been the development of strategies to improve access to tobacco cessation services for at-risk populations, such as those who are hospitalized and those who have limited access to healthcare services.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.