On November 20, 2008, The Saint Barnabas Health Care System (Monmouth Medical Center, Kimball Medical Center, Community Medical Center, Saint Barnabas Behavioral Health Center and affiliate offices) will implement a Smoke-Free Environment (SFE) policy. Smoking will be prohibited both indoors and outdoors on all properties owned and operated by the Saint Barnabas Health Care System. In preparation for this transition, employees have asked questions about what a SFE means to them, our patients and their families. The following are frequently asked questions and responses regarding the SFE.
Saint Barnabas’ vision is “building healthy communities.” Therefore we have a responsibility to our patients, visitors, staff, physicians and the community to provide a cleaner and healthier environment. Modeling healthy behaviors will be critical to our success.
Here are a few facts:
- Smoking is a factor in the top four causes of death.
- Patients who smoke regularly before surgery have twice the risk of wound infections as nonsmokers.
- Smoking retards wound healing.
- A smoker’s broken bones take almost twice as long to heal as a non-smoker’s.
- Over 430,000 people die prematurely each year from smoking related diseases.
Many people-smokers, patients, and probably even some health professionals –aren’t aware how smoking impacts health care and recovery. By making our environment smoke-free, we are addressing the number one health risk today, so our efforts are well placed.
The current policy allows smoking in designated areas on our campuses or outside our buildings. The new policy will prohibit smoking on any grounds or parking areas leased, occupied or owned by Saint Barnabas Health Care System.
On November 20, 2008 --- the Great American Smoke Out’s 32nd Anniversary.
We are offering tobacco treatment through the Institute for Prevention, Saint Barnabas Behavioral Health, Tobacco Dependence Treatment Program. Quit-meetings will be offered at every location with flexible times to accommodate different shifts. The program consists of individual tobacco assessments for each interested employee. After the assessment is completed the employee will work with a Tobacco Treatment Specialist to create a treatment plan best suited to that individual’s needs. The employee will then attend an 8 week quit program at a cost of $15 per session, refundable at 80% of cost at completion of the program. The total cost of the program after program completion and reimbursement is $24. Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) (nicotine patches, nicotine gum, or nicotine lozenges) will be available at a discount and will also be reimbursed at 80% at completion of the quit program. Prescription medications to assist in quitting smoking are covered under the Saint Barnabas Health Care plan, which includes a required co payment.
Quit Sessions will be offered free of charge to one additional family member of the employee’s household who attends the quit-sessions with the employee. NRT will be available at a discounted price.
Treatment services are available for other employee family members, patients and visitors through the Institute for Prevention, Tobacco Treatment Program at a cost of $15 per session for 8-week program. For more information on the Institute for Prevention Tobacco Treatment Program call: (732)-914-1688.
No, that is a personal choice. We require that employees comply with our policy while at work. However, we encourage all employees to take positive steps to improve their own health by taking advantage of tobacco treatment services that are available through the Institute for Prevention Tobacco Treatment Program.
When in vehicles that are located on any Saint Barnabas owned, leased or occupied premises, occupants are prohibited from smoking in accordance with our policy.
We will provide education and information to families and patients during pre-registration and upon registration clearly stating our policy. We will also give our staff tools and educational materials to help remind fellow employees, visitors and patients to observe our policy. Patients will be able to request NRT to assist their comfort while hospitalized. We ask you to act in the same way you would if you observed a visitor or fellow employee or patient violating any of our existing policies.
You would notify security if visitors choose not to observe our policy. Security would act in accordance with our protocols regarding behaviors that are in violation of our policies.
We will advise patients prior to their admission and upon their admission of our smoking policy. They should speak with their physician prior to entering the hospital if they think they might have difficulty complying with our smoke-free policy.
In the event that a patient would not comply, security would be notified and they would enforce our policies as they do for our current smoking policy.
Saint Barnabas has a progressive disciplinary process for employees – coaching, counseling and then discipline. We would use the same process in cases where employees choose not to observe our nonsmoking policies.
While the potential exists, the hope is that all will embrace the efforts to sustain a healthier environment for patients, families and employees. The smell of smoke is a trigger for those trying to quit or remain smoke-free while they are here. It is our responsibility to help each other, our patients and visitors in this process.
Our intent is to intervene, educate, and heal through tobacco treatment programs that will assist patients and family members when they are here. Patients and family members will have access to tobacco treatment specialists if they wish to work toward smoking cessation and/or techniques to help make their stay more tolerable. Nicotine Replacement Therapy will be available to patients with their physician’s approval and educational materials will be provided for those who need assistance.
Yes, all vendors and contractors will be advised of our policy and will be required to comply by November 20, 2008.
We will provide community notices and education as well as signage in and around our locations. We are also committed to offering our community resources such as tobacco treatment programs through the Institute for Prevention, Tobacco Treatment Program. For more information call (732)-914-1688.
smokefree@sbhcs.com
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