Abstract
Introduction
Hospital admissions are an ideal opportunity to refer patients to smoking cessation services. Changes to e-Discharge software could allow for an electronic referral and increase the number of patients who stop smoking.
Aims and objectives
Can e-discharge referral systems increase the number of referrals to smoking cessation services without compromising quality?
Methods
We reviewed the number and origin of referrals to smoking cessation services at our large university hospital over a 94 day period. 30 days into our study we introduced a tick-box referral system in the existing e-Discharge software; we also conducted teaching sessions. For the last 30 days any problems with referrals were reviewed.
Results
For the first 30 days the number of referrals to smoking cessation services was 43; in the last 30 days the number of referrals was 81 (28 from e-Discharges, 53 from regular referral sources). The average referral rate went from 1.48/day in the first 30 days to 2.61/day for the last 30 days. Problems with e-Discharge referrals included: no consent for referral or non-smokers referred (serious problems); and duplicate referrals. Very few referrals were problem-free (2%), a minority had serious problems (15%). The rate of problem accumulation fell from 2.1/day to 1.3/day after further education. The percentage of patients who were booked for an appointment following an e-discharge referral was 16.5%.
Conclusions
Referral numbers to smoking cessation services increased with the use of e-Discharge software; further education is needed to improve the quality of referrals and could increase the number of patients who stop smoking.
- © 2014 ERS