St. John's Lutheran Hospital campus goes smoke free!
by Kate Bartz, St. John's Lutheran Hospital
August 3, 2008
Smoking is responsible for over 440,000 premature deaths annually. Smoking negatively affects bone and wound healing. Surgical patients who smoke have twice the risk of postoperative infection. Evidence-based treatments for tobacco dependence are effective, and it has been discovered that treatments initiated by health care providers and healthcare institutions greatly increase success rates.
As a way to help make a commitment to a healthy lifestyle for its patients, visitors, and employees, St. John’s Lutheran Hospital has recently implemented a smoke free campus policy. This policy states that St. John’s Lutheran Hospital (SJLH) is a health care organization that is committed to the health and safety of its employees, patients, and visitors; the use of tobacco, in any form, has clearly demonstrated detrimental health effects; and as such, SJLH prohibits the use of tobacco.
In accordance with the policy, SJLH patients may request nicotine replacement products from their physicians, but they will not be permitted to smoke, or use tobacco, on the SJLH campus or any of its properties. In addition, guests and outpatients will not be allowed to smoke on the public right-of-way (sidewalks) within 50 feet of any SJLH entrance. Receptacles to extinguish tobacco products will be located near high volume entrances at the 50-foot tobacco free boundary.
"Improving and protecting the health, safety, and comfort of St. John’s patients, employees, and visitors is one of our highest priorities," stated Bill Patten, Chief Executive Officer of St. John’s Lutheran Hospital. "Toward that end, the hospital, and all of our satellite buildings and properties, are designated non-tobacco use "smoke-free" facilities. This means no cigarette, cigar, pipe smoking, or smokeless tobacco will be permitted in facilities or on SJLH properties."
Patten went on to add, "An admission to the hospital provides an excellent opportunity for smokers to quit. While in a smoke-free hospital, the patient has immediate access to a supportive environment for making and sustaining attempts to quit. St. John’s is providing an excellent healthy environment and is supporting healthy lifestyles."
In addition to becoming a smoke free campus, St. John’s Lutheran Hospital and the CARD have teamed together to provide a free smoking cessation program for the community. Smoke-Free for Life is a program that will work in conjunction with the Montana Tobacco Quit Line, utilizing their resources to obtain nicotine replacement products, when requested by the patient. The program will provide local support and information, and if the individual chooses to use the prescription medication Chantix, the program will cover the co-pay cost, contingent on class attendance.
"The Smoke-Free for Life program is based on the fact that smoking and chewing tobacco are learned behaviors developed through conscious choice and can be unlearned successfully. Nicotine replacement therapy - gum, patches, medications – have been very useful in addressing the physical or chemical addition to nicotine," commented Susan Horelick, RN, Employee Health Nurse and Wellness Manager at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital. "Our program focuses on the psychological and emotional attachment that goes along with the smoking behavior as well. Changing a lifestyle, including quitting smoking, is not a singular event, but rather a process, and Smoke-Free for Life will provide the tools that have been shown to be the most helpful during that process."
The Smoke-Free for Life class topics include tracking your habit, identifying your smoke triggers, and developing strategies to deal with those triggers. The class will also teach participants relaxation and stress reduction techniques, methods to help with weight control, and how to prevent relapse.
"The health effects of cessation are immediate and far-reaching," added Horelick. "Quitting reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. In fact, the chance of a myocardial infarction decreases within 24 hours of quitting. The risk of dying from cardiovascular disease is reduced to that of a non-smoker just five years after cessation."
Dr. Gregory Rice, St. John’s Lutheran Hospital Chief of Staff added, "I think that it’s a wonderful thing that the hospital is trying to help people in the community quit smoking. That is the most important thing!"
For more information on the Smoke-Free for Life classes, please call Susan Horelick at 293-0164. For more information or inquiries on St. John’s Lutheran Hospital Smoke Free Campus Policy, please call KC Hoyer at 293-0106.
Related Link:
St. John’s Lutheran Hospital, www.sjlh.com
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