Poster Presentation
Wednesday, 19 July 2006
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Wednesday, 19 July 2006
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
This presentation is part of : Poster Presentations I
A Worksite Tobacco Dependence Program for Healthcare Providers
Diane J. Bartscherer, MS, ANP, Virginia Reichert, MS, NP, Patricia A. Folan, BSN, RN, Colleen DeGaetano, RN, BS, OCN, Daniel R. Jacobsen, BSN, RN, and Lorana Miceli, MA, RN, CH. Center for Tobacco Control-North Shore University Hospital, North Shore-LIJ Health System, Great Neck, NY, USA
Learning Objective #1: gain an increased awareness of tobacco dependence in healthcare professionals, and the need to assist them in their attempts to stop smoking.
Learning Objective #2: understand the benefits of a worksite tobacco dependence treatment program geared toward healthcare professionals which includes free counseling and medications.
PURPOSE:  Tobacco use is of major concern for all healthcare providers today. Healthcare professionals should strive to set a good example for their patients. Healthcare workers who smoke are less likely to address tobacco dependence and related issues with their patients. The effects of an ongoing tobacco cessation initiative geared specifically toward healthcare providers are being studied. This on-site employee program provides free counseling, medications and support services.

METHODS: Healthcare providers (MDs, RNs, NPs, PAs , SWs, etc) are offered free FDA approved pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation combined with confidential free individual or group counseling. Classes and individual counseling sessions are held at convenient times for the employees. Exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) is measured to biochemically validate quit status.  Follow up continues for 1 year, with non-responders considered to have relapsed back to smoking.

RESULTS: To date over 200 healthcare workers (the majority being RNs)  have been treated in this program. The participants seen were 54% female, with a mean age of 41, mean pack years of 23.  The mean CO on day 1 was 18.5 ppm.  Mean number of previous quit attempts is 2.7.  71% scored a “high readiness to quit” (7 or greater out of 10).  The quit rate of all comers to the program at 30 days is 60%, with 18% of quitters relapsing by one year.  The participants who stopped smoking cited many perceived benefits of quitting: 59% stated less cough, 54% breathing easier, 49% increased sense of taste, 73% less tobacco odor, and 30% had an increased exercise tolerance.CONCLUSIONS: A free, confidential and convenient tobacco dependence program specifically for healthcare workers provides an effective method to stop smoking. In addition to the health benefits associated with stopping smoking, these professionals are better equipped to assist their patients in becoming tobacco free.

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See more of The 17th International Nursing Research Congress Focusing on Evidence-Based Practice (19-22 July 2006)