Abstract
Background: Health promotion is a key component of holistic, patient-centred care. 50% of UK smokers make at least one annual attempt to quit; only 3% succeed long-term1. Due to the long-term complications of smoking, we recognise the importance of prompt & effective SCA, a NICE (UK) priority2.
The objectives of this study, in an area of socio-economic deprivation in Liverpool, were to determine whether we provide simple SCA and to explore referral rates to specialist SCA services.
Method: We undertook a 3-week prospective analysis on the respiratory wards at a large UK University Hospital (December 2010). Specialist SCA is available for all in-patients.
Results: 81 patient records were reviewed. Mean age 72 (SD 14) years; 34 (43%) male, 30 (37%) current smokers. Of these 40% received documented SCA from a HCP however, only 42% of this guidance was at time of admission. Only 43% of these smokers were referred to SCA services, of which 85% received a consultation; following this 36% continued to smoke whilst an in-patient.
Conclusion: Best practice would suggest SCA within 24 hrs of admission but this occurs in only 40% of cases. Long term follow-up of the smoking cessation rates in these patients is pending. We are working within our hospital to ensure training occurs in this area as per NICE guidance2, aiming to reduce the burden of smoking related lung disease and have implemented a cyclical SCA education programme for all HCPs with the hope of improving SCA referral rates.
1 West R (2006) Background smoking cessation rates in England
2 NICE- www.guidance.nice.org.uk/CG101/Guidance/pdf/English
- © 2011 ERS