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Smoking in hospitalised patients.
R Bittoun1, M McMahon, D H Bryant
1Department of Thoracic Medicine, St. Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Addictive Behaviors
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Hospitalized patients often smoke covertly, with nearly 30% admitting or showing evidence of smoking. Cardiac and respiratory patients are more likely to be dishonest about smoking, increasing their readmission risk.
Area of Science:
- Medical research
- Public health
- Clinical study
Background:
- Hospital smoking policies are crucial for patient well-being.
- Overt and covert patient smoking present challenges in healthcare settings.
- Understanding smoking prevalence among inpatients is vital for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of overt and covert smoking among hospitalized patients.
- To identify patient groups more prone to smoking or dishonesty about smoking.
- To assess the impact of smoking on hospital readmission rates.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted in a large inner-city hospital.
- 311 patients were studied.
- Expired carbon monoxide levels were used to verify self-reported smoking status.
Main Results:
- 20% of patients admitted to smoking during hospitalization.
- An additional 8% showed biochemical evidence of smoking but denied it.
- Smoking prevalence varied significantly across wards (4%-41%).
- Patients with cardiac and respiratory diseases were more likely to be untruthful about smoking.
- Smokers were over twice as likely to be readmitted for the same condition.
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of hospitalized patients engage in smoking, both overtly and covertly.
- Patient dishonesty regarding smoking is more common in those with cardiac and respiratory conditions.
- In-hospital smoking is linked to increased readmission rates, highlighting the need for smoking cessation support.