Partnering with healthcare systems to eliminate tobacco use
The Health Promotion Center of Glens Falls Hospital, in partnership with the North Country Healthy Heart Network, works collaboratively with health care systems to develop and support the consistent and effective identification and treatment of tobacco users. The initiative provides resources and consultation to physical health care providers and mental health care providers to improve the delivery of comprehensive, evidence-based interventions for tobacco use and dependency. Special consideration is given to, but not limited to, those that serve disparate populations with low-income, low-educational attainment and/or behavioral health care needs.
Health Systems for a Tobacco-Free New York is funded through a grant from the NYS Department of Health.
Free Services and resources for physical health care providers and mental health care providers include:
- Consultation and review of existing tobacco treatment policies. Expert support with the development of a cohesive plan for introducing and sustaining comprehensive, evidence-based tobacco use and dependency treatment interventions.
- Policy Development assistance with integrating and implementing evidence-based, tobacco dependence treatment services and policies, within the health care systems, without disrupting clinical workflow.
- Quality Improvement assistance in developing a process to track and measure system wide implementation of a tobacco treatment policy, and overall patient satisfaction.
- Customized Training for systems staff and tobacco treatment champions. Additional support can be given to those systems treating disparate populations and/or other addictions.
- Tobacco Cessation Resources and materials for tobacco users to take home and review.
Health Care Providers Can Make a Difference
Tobacco dependence remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease.
- 70% of tobacco users want to quit.
- Compared to tobacco users who do not receive clinician assistance, tobacco users who receive assistance from two or more clinicians are 2.4–2.5 times more likely to quit successfully for 5 or more months.
- More than 30% of tobacco users are successful when clinicians combine counseling and cessation medications.
Contact
Health care systems that are interested in obtaining more information are encouraged to contact:
Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Herkimer, Warren, and Washington counties:
Health Promotion Center at Glens Falls Hospital: smorrison-gaczol@glensfallshosp.org
Clinton, Essex, Franklin and St. Lawrence counties:
Ann Morgan, Executive Director, amorgan@heartnetwork.org