Abstract
Background
NICE (UK) recommends1 that all health care professionals take the opportunity to refer smokers to a smoking cessation service (SCS) and this is a UK health priority.
Our district general hospital has a smoking cessation in-reach service. The objectives of this study were to evaluate referral rates to this service among patients admitted to hospital via the Acute Medical Unit (AMU) with a view to improving the referral rates.
Method
We undertook a 2-week prospective review during winter of all admissions via the MAU to the respiratory ward, of smoking referral patterns.
Results
73 patient records were reviewed. Mean age 71 (SD 13) years; 52% male, 40% current smokers. Of these only 36% received documented smoking cessation advice from a health care professional on admission and 41% of these smokers were referred to SCS services, of which 30% received a review within 24 hours and 86% within 72 hours; following this 24% continued to smoke whilst an in-patient.
Conclusion
Ideally a SCS review should be within 24 hrs of admission. We are working with our MAU and SCS teams to enhance training and increase the referral rates to SCS in line with NICE guidance1, by implementing a regular education programme for all healthcare professionals.
Reference:
1. NICE- www.guidance.nice.org.uk/CG101/Guidance/pdf/English.
- © 2014 ERS