Local health care systems adopt smoke free and tobacco free policies
CONTACT: Dwight Angell
(313) 876-8709
Four Wayne County health care systems will ban smoking and the use of tobacco products on their campuses effective Sunday, July 1, 2007.
Detroit Medical Center, Henry Ford Health System, Oakwood Healthcare System and St. John Health are committed to providing safe and healthy workplaces by eliminating tobacco use.
In partnership with the Michigan Health and Hospital Association, the metro-Detroit area health systems will extend their current indoor no-smoking policy to outdoors including the grounds of their facilities, leased properties, vehicles, walkways and parking lots.
“The leadership of these four health systems -- whose sphere of influence affects 25 hospitals and more than 90 medical centers and outpatient facilities -- sends a resounding message that there are many issues of primary importance where Michigan hospitals BOND -- Being One Never Divided. The good health of the community marks this united effort," said Spencer Johnson, president, Michigan Health & Hospital Association.
The new tobacco-free policy will apply to all employees, students, physicians, volunteers, visitors, patients, contractors and other guests.
Each healthcare system is offering a variety of smoking cessation support programs for not only their patients but employees and in some cases, family members of employees:
Detroit Medical Center (DMC)
“We have young people who see our hospital employees smoking and it sends the wrong message about the dangers of smoking, and the danger to your health. Like the other hospitals in this community, the DMC Board has decided that our hospitals must not communicate any mixed message on smoking. This is a major step in that direction,” said Michael Duggan, DMC President and CEO.
At Detroit Medical Center (DMC) smoking will be banned inside and outside of all DMC buildings, on pathways to and from DMC buildings, parking lots and in personal vehicles parked in DMC parking lots and structures. Smoking will also be prohibited in DMC-owned vehicles (on or off campus).
At many of its nine hospitals and institutes, DMC offers smoking cessation programs to employees and their loved ones. Programs are supported by the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), pulmonary services, respiratory care and community health education departments. Smoking Cessation brochures will be distributed upon admittance into the hospital. DMC Care covers a variety of nicotine replacement prescriptions and other resources, including gum and patches, that will be available over-the-counter without a prescription at all DMC pharmacies.
DMC is also offering a reduced three month membership at Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan’s Brasza Outpatient Center, a high-tech and fully equipped fitness center.
Henry Ford Health System
“The health and well-being of our patients, employees and visitors is a top priority,” says Ronald Davis, M.D., director of Henry Ford’s Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and incoming-president of the American Medical Association. “We acknowledge and understand that nicotine is addictive and, therefore, we are committed to offering free smoking cessation and treatment resources to support and assist not only our employees but our patients and visitors as well.”
Henry Ford will provide smoking cessation support at no cost to employees who use tobacco, through its Smoking Intervention Program (SIP) as well as benefit-eligible family members who live in the same household and one documented cohabitant with a common address on state-issued identification. Henry Ford will also provide support to visitors and guests in the form of “Tobacco Free Assist Kits” at no cost to help them be tobacco-free while on site. The kit, which consists of a nicotine lozenge and instructions for use, will be available at select Henry Ford facilities in which visitors may be for an extended period of time. In addition, each patient admitted to one of Henry Ford’s hospitals will be assessed for their tobacco-use and the appropriate nicotine replacement therapy will be provided.
Oakwood Healthcare System
"By eliminating secondhand smoke from our campuses, we further demonstrate our commitment to be a role model for healthy behavior, and we ensure that our employees, physicians, patients, volunteers and visitors will work and receive medical care in a healthier, safer environment," says Brian Connolly, CEO, Oakwood Healthcare, Inc.
Oakwood will assist its employees and physicians who use tobacco products, to quit, by offering individuals up to $150 in coupons for the purchase of nicotine replacement products. Oakwood has also developed a free, quit smoking resource line for employees, volunteers, physicians and family members who smoke and would like to quit. Smoking cessation workshops are also being offered regularly at multiple Oakwood sites. In addition, physicians will offer nicotine replacement products or other medical treatments to help patients quit smoking during and after their stay. Visitors over the age of 18 will be offered free samples of over-the-counter nicotine gum, upon request. Visitors will need to sign a "Release from Liability" form, which includes instructions on how to use the gum. Visitors may also purchase larger quantities of nicotine gum in hospital gift shops and Oakwood pharmacies.
St. John Health
"St. John Health is creating a healthier atmosphere for all patients, visitors and staff by maintaining a tobacco-free environment. It puts the health of patients and families first by providing a healthy, smoke-free atmosphere for everyone, and it supports the St. John Health mission to sustain and improve the health of individuals in the communities we serve," says Mary Naber, senior vice president, Worklife Services, St. John Health.
The Tobacco-Free Environment also supports the employee Health Enhancement Program, a preventive care program offered to St. John employees, their spouse and dependents who also are medically insured by St. John Health. Comprehensive tobacco cessation assistance has been offered to all St. John Health employees, physicians and volunteers at no cost. To date, a total of 544 employees, spouses and volunteers have sought cessation assistance through Occupational Health.
