Smoking Cessation Practices in a Level 3 Irish Hospital

Smoking is a leading cause of respiratory morbidity and mortality(1). Hospitalization is an opportunity for smoking cessation. Referral to a cessation service, as recommended by NICE, is not available in our hospital.This cross-sectional study on medical inpatients occurred in December 2022. A questionnaire-based interview was applied which described patients’ smoking behaviour and cessation support to date. The response rate was 30%.Of 46 patients, 73% had a smoking history. 21% were active smokers. 1 patient vaped. The average age of smokers was 64 and non-smokers was 76. There was no gender difference between groups. Co-morbidities were COPD (28%) and ischemic heart disease (26%). 13% had a family history of lung cancer. 100% understood the harms of smoking compared to 72% who understood the harms of vaping.40% received smoking cessation advice. The patient who vaped received advice on cessation. 2 patients were offered nicotine replacement therapy (NRT); a nicotine patch was prescribed in 1 patient. 1 patient endorsed craving nicotine. 4 patients smoked during their stay and their average length of stay was 7 days, compared to 2 days, in those who abstained. 72% were motivated to abstain.Smoking cessation practices in our hospital are suboptimal, with poor uptake of NRT prescribing and over a third of patients smoking whilst in hospital. Hospitalisation is a teachable moment; it is crucial that health care professionals promote and support cessation. Consideration s...
Source: European Respiratory Journal - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tags: Tobacco, smoking control and health education Source Type: research