1. Tobacco-Free Policy Developmentand Implementation SupportOctober 26, 2011

2. Maine Tobacco-Free HospitalNetworkThe Maine Tobacco-Free Hospital Network aims to create and award Gold Star Standards of Excellence to encourage more hospitals to adoptsmoke-free policies, as well as provide ongoingtechnical assistance to the hospitals around the state. The Network is an initiative of the Breathe Easy Coalition of Maine. 3. What is a tobacco-free policy? A 100% tobacco-free policy is one that prohibits smoking and the use of any tobacco products on the hospital campus, including in buildings, parking areas, garages, grounds, and vehicles parked on hospital property. 4. Why go tobacco-free? Tobacco-free campus policies are a great example of a hospitals commitment to providing a safe and healthy environment for patients, employees, visitors and the community as a whole. Tobacco-free policies are a best practice and proven concept at least 19 hospitals in Maine have already adopted 100% tobacco-free policies. 5. Tobacco-Free Hospitals in Maine Mercy Hospital, Portland Franklin Memorial Hospital, The Aroostook Medical Center, FarmingtonPresque Isle Goodall Hospital, Sanford Blue Hill Memorial Hospital, Miles Memorial Hospital,Blue Hill Damariscotta C.A. Dean Memorial Hospital, Spring Harbor Hospital,Greenvill Portland Down East Community St. Andrews Hospital,Hospital, Machais Boothbay Harbor Eastern Maine Medical Center, Waldo County GeneralBangorHospital, Belfast Inland Hospital, Madison Northern Maine Medical Sebasticook Vally Hospital, Center, Fort KentPittsfield Mount Desert Island Hospital, Parkview Adventist MedicalBar HarborCenter, Brunswick Cary Medical Center, Caribou Penobscot Bay Medical Center,Rockport 6. Why go tobacco-free? Tobacco use continues to be the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States. Smoking causes 443,000 premature deaths in the U.S. each year. Quitting smoking at any age and at any time is beneficial tobacco-free policies encourage users to quit. There is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke exposure, children, pregnant women and adults with chronic diseases are most vulnerable to exposure. 7. Why go tobacco-free?Exposure to tobacco smoke even occasionalsmoking or secondhand smoke causes immediatedamage to the body and can lead to serious illnessor death.Cellular damage and tissue inflammation fromtobacco smoke are immediate and repeatedexposure weakens the bodys ability to heal thedamage. from the 2010 Report of the US SurgeonGeneral 8. Policy Adoption Steps Establish a policy committee/workgroup Draft a tobacco-free policy Gain approval and support from hospitalstakeholders Communicate policy before it goes into effect Prepare and distribute educational materials foremployees, patients, visitors on the policy and quitresources Implement and enforce policy 9. Establish Committee/Work Group Group should include: Hospital leadership (administration, senior management) Champions who can lead the effort Employees from different departments of the organization,such as HR, medical staff, facilities management, andothers that can bring good perspectives to the table. Include tobacco users if possible Develop a group to investigate policy development: What is our hospitals current policy? Survey employees to investigate interest in policy* What policy parameters will work for our organization? Determine policy implementation timeframe 10. Employee Opinion SurveyWe would like to get your opinion on an issue important to our hospital. Please take a fewminutes to complete the following survey. This is a confidential survey being done forinformational purposes, if you have any questions or concerns please contact (phonenumber of hospital staff overseeing survey).Do you believe that more needs to be done at our hospital to reduce tobacco use oncampus and exposure to secondhand smoke?Yes: ___ No: ___Neutral/Dont Know: ___Would you support a hospital property-wide tobacco-free policy that would apply to patients,staff and visitors?Yes: ___ No: ___Unsure: ___Do you think that other staff would support creating a tobacco-free policy for the hospital?Yes: ___ No: ___Unsure: ___Do you have a health condition that makes it difficult for you to be around cigarette smoke?Yes: ___ No: ___If yes, please explain:________________________________________________________If you are a current smoker, would you like help quitting?Yes: ___ No: ___Dont Smoke: ___What supports do you think need to be in place for a property-wide tobacco-free policy to besuccessful?________________________________________________________________________Any other comments to add? 11. Develop Tobacco Policy Language Important language aspects include: Purpose Why is your organization adopting a tobacco-free policy; how doesthis policy related to the hospitals mission? Policy Specifications of the policy explanation of tobacco products andwhere the policy is effect (for example: grounds, parking lots,buildings). Procedures and Enforcement Provide information how this policy affects patients, visitors,employees and how they are expectations for compliance. Alsospell out methods for enforcement, such as who is responsible. Sample hospital policies can be found atwww.MaineTobaccoFreeHospitalNetwork.org/hospital_policies 12. Policy Adoption and Support Educate key stakeholders on the purpose of a tobacco-free campus policy, their support is vital to the adoption and success of the policy. Once a policy and action plan have been developed, present to the hospitals board of directors for their approval and support. 13. New Hospital Support Kit The goal of the hospital support kit is to provide hospitals with free resources and materials to make it as simple as possible to move towards and/or implement a 100% tobacco-free policy. As we continue to go through the steps of policy implementation, we will highlight some of the tools found in the new support kit. All materials can be found at www.MaineTobaccoFreeHospitalNetwork.org/resourc es 14. Communication The majority of patients, visitors and staff will adhereto a policy if they are aware of it consistent,positive communication is key! Once your policy is approved it is important toeducate hospital staff and community members thatyour hospital will be going tobacco-free. It is important to start this communication 6-12months prior to the date the policy is effective. 15. Communication Tools: MTFHNSupport Kit Hospital Policy Handbill Frequently Asked Questions for Staff Press Release Newsletter Article Letters to Patients, Providers and Neighbors 16. Communication: FAQs and Handbill Many employees may have questions about the policy and how it effects them providing them with responses to common questions can reduce confusion and increase compliance. A handbill that explains the decision to go tobacco- free and makes everyone aware of quitting resources, such as the Maine Tobacco HelpLine, can be placed in waiting rooms and lobbies to educate visitors about your decision. 17. Communication: MediaAnnouncements Press Release Share your news with your community send a press release to local media partners about your decision to go tobacco-free. Staff Newsletter Announcement Staff newsletters provide a great opportunity to educate employees about the reasons you have chosen to go tobacco-free and when they can expect that change to happen. 18. Communication: Letters to Patients It is important to make patients aware of your decision to be a tobacco-free hospital. A reminder about your tobacco-free campus policy could be included in pre-admission mailings and admission packets. Sharing information with patients provides you with the opportunity to educate them about supports for quitting while they are in the hospital and beyond. Informing the patient through these means, also educates visitors that will be accompanying them about the policy. 19. Communication: Letter to Providers Along with staff, medical providers are great ambassadors for your hospital. Make them aware that you are updating your tobacco policy so they can assist in preparing patients for their stay at a tobacco-free facility. Your policy can provide positive messaging for providers who are talking with their patients about quitting. As role model for health, your policy may provide motivation for those contemplating quitting. 20. Communication: Letter to Neighbors A 100% tobacco-free policy requires those who wish to use tobacco products to leave the campus. It is important to educate those occupying buildings that abut hospital property about your policy change. Through your policy you are not encouraging people who smoke to go onto these neighboring properties it is important for these community partners to be aware of the policy and know who they can contact if a problem occurs. 21. Enforcement Remember: Successful enforcement of the policy requires effective communication, and is dependent upon the consideration, thoughtfulness, and cooperation of everyone. 22. Enforcement Tools: MTFHN SupportKit Model Tobacco-Free Area Signage Signs should communicate a brief and simple message For your convenience MTFHN has developed sample signage Palm Card Enforcement Tool A reminder card can aid staff, such as security, when they meet someone who is not complying 23. Sample Tobacco-Free AreaSignage 24. Other Policy Implementation Tips Be positive vs. punitive for patients and visitors. Instead ofreprimanding tobacco users who violate your policy, useconstructive language to inform users of the policy, andencourage them to seek out appropriate quit resources thatyour hospital may offer. For employees, sub-contactors and vendors be clear aboutthe policy, expectations and follow through. Remove outdoor ashtrays having these by entrances maycause confusion about the policy. Make nicotine replacement products available. After you implement the policy, continue to monitor yourcampus. Identify the areas where cigarette butts continue toaccumulate and increase signage and coverage in theseareas. 25. Gold Star Standards of Excellence1.The hospital campus is tobacco and/or smoke-free. Tobacco use by staff, patients, andvisitors is prohibited at all times in and on the hospitals property including parking lots,in cars, and at satellite sites. (Tobacco-free includes smokeless tobacco, snuff, chew,cigars, pipes, etc.).2.Written policies and procedures that communicate and reinforce such policies ontobacco exist and are reviewed at least annually and as needed.3.Appropriate signage is posted at key locations including entrances to the grounds andbuildings.4.Information about tobacco use and treatment, secondhand smoke, and local andstatewide resources are readily available to patients, staff, and visitors.5.Advertising or promotion of tobacco products is not allowed on the hospitals campusor satellite facilities. This includes hospital publications and magazines subscribed toby the hospital for their waiting rooms.6.All off-site meetings, conferences, and fundraisers are tobacco-free.7.Off-site lodging recommended by the hospital is determined to be 100% smoke-free.8.Clinical services are available for any patient needing/desiring assistance for nicotinewithdrawal symptoms and/or quitting, including evidence-based medications.9.The hospital supports education and training on tobacco use and treatment foremployees. Tobacco treatment services are available for employees. For insuredemployees and dependents, benefits include coverage of counseling and medicationtherapy for quitting tobacco, with minimal, or no, barriers to utilization (co-pays, out ofpocket costs, limits). 26. Gold Star Standards Awards Applications will be released in January 2012 for our annual awards. Hospitals that meet at least 6 Standards are encouraged to apply and be recognized! Applications will be made available on www.MaineTobaccoFreeHospitalNetw ork.org and will be sent to all hospitals. 2012 Gold Star Standards of Excellence Awards Ceremony will be held in March 2012 at the Maine Hospital Association, Augusta 27. For More InformationMaine Tobacco-Free Hospital Network www.MaineTobaccoFreeHospitalNetwork.org (207)874-8774 info@mainetobaccofreehospitalnetwork.org MTFHN Presentations can be viewed online at: www.slideshare.net/breatheeasy