%0 Journal Article %A Tamina Khalil %A Hannah Walton %A Wing Ng %A Indranil Chakravorty %T Smoking status and cessation intervention in acute medical admissions in a busy city hospital and associated co-morbidities - Time for a change? %D 2013 %J European Respiratory Journal %P P4946 %V 42 %N Suppl 57 %X Concurrent smoking leads to poorer outcomes and patients are receptive for advice on lifestyle changes including cessation during or immediately after an acute event. This should be addressed at every consultation with a healthcare professional. Documentation of status and implementation of is a key national priority.DesignA retrospective analysis of all patients admitted to a busy acute medical unit in a London city hospital in January 2013, to ascertain smoking status, cessation advice or treatment.ResultsOur cohort included 792 (348 women) patients; age 69 (SD 19) years; 41 inpatient deaths (SMR 52/1000 admissions). Co-morbidities - hypertension (38%), cardiovascular (13%), cerebrovascular (9%), diabetes (22%), 9% Dementia, 3% depression and 8% kidney disease. Amongst 23% with chronic lung diseases, 38% had asthma, 52% COPD, 5% lung cancer and 5% other.3.4% (n = 27; incl 10 women) were current smokers 1.8% ex-smokers, 0.9% non-smokers and no documentation in the rest. Smoking cessation advice was given to 7/27 (25.9%), 3 patients expressed desire to quit and 1 patient was prescribed nicotine replacement.DiscussionCensus estimates smoking prevalence at 25-27%, although likely to be higher amongst hospital admissions. We are likely to be missing a vast majority of current smokers (87%) with significant comorbidites. If approached during their stay, then the quit rate may be around 50%. Therefore documentation of smoking status within admission proformas and cessation advice as part of a brief intervention, needs to be implemented as a matter of urgency followed by referral to specialized smoking cessation services. %U https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/erj/42/Suppl_57/P4946.full.pdf