Abstract
Introduction: Smoking remains a leading cause of premature death however UK data suggests only 8% of inpatient smokers are referred to a smoking cessation service1, as recommended by NICE2. A service pilot was undertaken assessing the impact of an integrated smoking cessation practitioner on inpatient referrals and treatment of tobacco dependency.
Methods: Inpatient referrals were made to an integrated smoking cessation practitioner who visited the medical ward twice weekly for 3 months. Data was collected prospectively to identify the number of smokers referred and outcomes were compared to UK hospital audit data1.
Results: 42 inpatients were referred to the integrated practitioner. 62% female, mean age 59.8 (SD 15.7). 38% were reviewed as inpatients and 62% were reviewed after discharge. 39% of patients were either enrolled in a community treatment programme (22%) or received ongoing telephone follow up in the community (17%). The intervention demonstrated an increase in inpatient referrals to a smoking cessation service from 5% to 32%.
Conclusion: Smoking cessation remains a challenge for secondary care. The integrated smoking cessation practitioner increased the number of inpatient referrals and consequent enrolment into a community treatment programme for tobacco dependency.
References:
BTS Smoking Cessation Audit Report 2016
NICE Guideline NG92, March 2018
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2020; 56: Suppl. 64, 3071.
This abstract was presented at the 2020 ERS International Congress, in session “Respiratory viruses in the "pre COVID-19" era”.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2020