As part of the Great American Smokeout, beginning on Thursday no tobacco use of any kind will be allowed on the campuses of Newman Regional Health, Emporia Surgical Hospital and all Newman-related properties.
The new policy also will include the elimination of designated smoking areas outside Newman Regional Health and Emporia Surgical Hospital. This policy also will affect Emporia Physical Therapy, Emporia State Division School of Nursing, Newman Medical Plaza, Central Care Cancer Center, Newman Home Health and Newman Medical Equipment & Supply.
The hospital and related properties have joined hospitals across Kansas in an effort to become tobacco-free. As of Oct. 16, 85 Kansas hospitals have voluntarily gone smoke-free.
“As health-care organizations, we are committed to the health and safety of our employees and patients,” a press release from Newman Regional Health read. “We believe that we have the responsibility to take a leadership role on this major issue and allowed people to use tobacco products defeats this purpose.”
Newman Regional Health and Emporia Surgical Hospital’s decision is not an attempt to force people to quit using tobacco products but a tobacco-free initiative is a concrete way the hospitals can demonstrate their ongoing commitment to healthy living.
Patients planning a hospital stay should discuss with their physician in advance about the use of tobacco replacement products or discuss alternative resources. Smoking cessation classes currently are being offered to Newman employees and will be offered to the public beginning in January.
Facts that caused Kansas hospitals to focus on eliminating tobacco:
• Smoking is the number one reason for avoidable illness and death.
• Smoking by patients impacts the success of health care procedures and increases recovery time.
• Smoking slows healing after surgery.
• Patients who smoke regularly before surgery have twice the risk of wound infections.
• Second-hand smoke at hospital entrances and exits increases risks for patients who have asthma, cancer and lung disease.
hjcary (anonymous) says...
Wow, this is a great policy. As a nurse I remember when I used to work in a hospital setting and nurses would come in from a smoke break and their clothing, skin etc. would just reek of smoke and it was hard for me to be near them I would always feel sorry for the patients having to be cared for by them.
November 13, 2006 at 8:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )