[German Network for Tobacco-Free Hospitals & Health-Care Services]

The DNRfK (German Network for Tobacco-Free Hospitals & Health-Care Services) is based on the Code of the ENSH-Global Network for Tobacco-Free Health-Care Services. To evaluate the project, a total survey of network members using an online questionnaire (78 items) was carried out (n=181; 67.4% response rate). At the time of the recording period, 17% achieved the silver level of certification, 43% the bronze level and 40% had not been certified. Various smoking cessation methods are offered (motivational interviewing, 47%; brief interventions, 45%; individual counselling, 45%). Smokers received pharmacological support in 63% of the hospitals. Smoking cessation services are mainly carried out by physicians (63%), nursing staff (51%) and psychologists (51%). Guideline-oriented smoking cessation is offered by 36% of participants (69% silver level, 33% bronze level, and 32% in clinics without certification). The Code has been widely accepted and, consequently, well implemented by members. The quality of the tobacco control measures and evidence-based smoking cessation treatments increases with duration of membership and certification level or is validated through this. Some deficiencies were found with respect to training-the-trainer qualifications and follow-up measurements.