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Smoke-Free Environment

BAYSTATE HEALTH IS SMOKE-FREE!

Thank You for Supporting Our Smoke-free Environment

 

To ensure the health and safety of Baystate Health patients, visitors and employees, smoking is not permitted:

  • In any Baystate Health patient room, building or office
  • Outdoors on any Baystate Health property, including parking facilities
  • At any event or program sponsored or presented by Baystate Health.

 

This 2007 policy is in line with the Baystate Health Mission: "To improve the health of the people in our communities every day, with quality and compassion."

 

The Smoke-Free Environment Policy

 

Smoking is strictly prohibited in all buildings and properties owned or leased by Baystate Health as well as on the grounds of those facilities, including:

  • Patient rooms
  • Lounges and public spaces
  • Lavatories
  • Cafeterias
  • Building entryways
  • Campus walkways
  • Parking lots and garages
  • Company-owned vehicles
  • Private vehicles when on Baystate Health property.

 

Smoking is not permitted at Baystate Health-sponsored events.

 

Assistance for Patients and Visitors Who Smoke

 

The smoke-free environment may be uncomfortable for patients who smoke.  Our support services will help patients and visitors who smoke comply with the policy while on Baystate Health property.

 

PATIENTS

  • Make sure hospital admissions staff and your nurse know you are a smoker so we can make support available to you
  • Your nurse will ask you if you want to use a nicotine replacement product during your stay.  If you do:
    • The nurse will contact your physician to order an appropriate product.
    • There is a high risk of medical complications if you smoke while using a nicotine replacement product.
    • Be sure to tell the nurse how you are dealing with your cravings.
    • Withdrawal peaks on the third day of not smoking.  We will do all we can to help you deal with severe nicotine cravings.
  • Close to your discharge date, you may ask to meet with a smoking cessation expert from the hospital who can help you find a quit smoking program in your community.
  • Please remind your visitors about the Baystate Health no smoking policy and ask them to comply during their visits.

 

VISITORS

Visitors must observe the smoke-free policy for the health and comfort of you and other patients and visitors.

  • Gum, mints and hard candy can help smokers manage nicotine cravings during their visits.

 

Smoke Cessation Options

 

A physician can help you determine which smoke cessation program and technique is best and safest for you:

  • Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)- provides measured amounts of nicotine to help reduce cravings and other withdrawal symptoms.  NRT comes in different forms
    • Gum
    • Patch
    • Lozenges
    • Inhalation devices
  • Acupuncture - involves inserting flexible needles into the skin to reduce the side effects of nicotine withdrawal.
  • Behavior Modification Program - individual, group or telephone counseling can help the smoker:
    • Understand his or her smoking history
    • Understand his or her reasons for smoking
    • Set a target date to quit
    • Plan how to resist the urge to smoke. 
  • Hypnosis - can help strengthen motivation and reduce the physical and "habit" cravings for nicotine.
  • Non-nicotine Medications - such as Zyban® or ChantixTM

 

Facts About Smoking

  • Smoking is the leading cause of preventable illnesses and deaths in the United States.           
  • Smoking is the major cause of hospital admissions and re-admissions.                                    
  • More than 440,000 people die in the U.S. each year from smoking-related diseases.
    • This is more than all alcohol, cocaine, crack, heroin, homicide, suicide, car crash, fire and AIDS deaths, combined.
    • For every person who dies of a smoking-related disease, there are 20 more people who suffer from at least one serious illness associated with smoking.
  • Smoking costs the U.S. nearly $150 billion a year in healthcare and other expenses.
  • Patients who smoke:
    • Have twice the risk of wound infection than do non-smokers
    • Are slower to heal after surgery or trauma
    • Have increased gastrointestinal, prenatal and orthopedic complications.           
  • Smoking in pregnancy accounts for:
    • An estimated 20 to 30 percent of low-birth weight babies
    • Up to 14 percent of preterm deliveries
    • Some 10 percent of all infant deaths.
    • Even apparently healthy, full-term babies being born with narrowed airways and curtailed lung function. 
  • Smoking parents causes adverse health effects in their children, including:
    • Exacerbation of asthma
    • Increased frequency of colds and ear infections
    • Sudden infant death syndrome
    • Secondhand smoke causes an estimated 150,000 to 300,000 cases of lower respiratory tract infections in children less than 18 months of age, resulting in 7,500 to 15,000 annual hospitalizations.