Improving the quality of care for the hospitalized tobacco user--one institution's transformational journey

Hospitalization represents an ideal time to address tobacco cessation. For a variety of reasons, current users do not always receive appropriate support or treatment during the hospitalization. An improvement team was created to improve the care for the hospitalized tobacco user. The team's aim was to develop a standardized process to increase the assessment, documentation, and delivery of cessation counseling, and increase community referrals upon discharge. After implementation of the project, percentages of hospitalized patients who had their tobacco use status documented in the electronic medical record increased to 80-90%. The percentage of patients admitted with heart failure or pneumonia had their rates of tobacco cessation counseling improved to 82-96%. The care of the hospitalized tobacco user can be improved and sustained by utilizing community resources and creating a team of motivated care providers. This improvement work stimulated the creation of a smoke-free institution and other preventive health measures throughout the institution.