Systematic delivery of smoking cessation support in a secondary care setting
Author(s)
Rachael Murray, Jo Leonardi-Bee and John Britton
Presenter(s)
Rachael Murray Lecturer in Health Policy & Promotion, UK Centre for Tobacco Control Studies (UKCTCS), University of Nottingham
Abstract
Little research has investigated the best model of smoking cessation delivery in secondary care. We therefore designed a trial investigating the systematic delivery of smoking cessation support in a UK hospital.
Wards were randomised to either usual care (standard procedure for wards) or intervention (a dedicated smoking cessation advisor providing one-to-one counselling and pharmacotherapy for the duration of admission with referral to the local stop smoking service (SSS) on discharge). Smokers in both groups were asked to consent to be contacted later to assess smoking status and use of cessation support.
493 patients were recruited. CO validated quit rates were approximately doubled in the intervention group than usual care at both one (37% versus 16%; p=0.06) and six months (28% versus 10%) post-discharge. Patients were significantly more likely to accept treatment and be referred to NHS SSS in the intervention group than usual care.
This study illustrates that many smokers offered support for quitting are receptive to receiving treatment, the provision of which increases quit rates at one and six months post discharge compared to those who receive no support. Future efforts need to be focused on ensuring this level of support is offered within all secondary care settings.
