Hardin Medical Center Announces New Tobacco-Free Policies
Hardin Medical Center (HMC) has announced plans to implement a new campus-wide, tobacco-free policy beginning February 15, 2010. HMC currently prohibits smoking within the facility, but does allow smoking in specially designated areas.
The new policy will ban the use of all tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and smokeless tobacco, on all Hardin Medical Center properties, including its buildings and parking lots.
Hospital leaders say the new policy reflects the facility’s interest in advancing healthy lifestyles in Hardin County. “We are eliminating tobacco-use on our property to provide a healthier, safer environment for our employees, patients, and visitors and to promote positive, healthy behaviors,” said Charlotte Burns, CEO at HMC.
Although the U.S. Surgeon General’s Office in 1964 declared that smoking is hazardous to health, smoking remains the number one cause of preventable death and disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.
HMC views tobacco-use as a major health concern for employees and patients. “We can no longer turn a blind eye to on-campus smoking when we know that continued tobacco-use can cause problems for a patient,” said Dr. Chad Smith, HMC Chief of Staff. “Smoking slows wound healing, increases infection rates in surgeries, and is the most common cause of poor birth outcomes.”
The majority of all tobacco-users say they want to quit. Burns recognizes the challenges of breaking the addiction to nicotine and respects an individual’s quitting process. “We are not telling anyone they must quit smoking,” said Burns. “We’re saying don’t use tobacco products at Hardin Medical Center while you are a patient or visitor. We can suggest ways to ease nicotine withdrawal symptoms, and if you are ready to quit, we have trained professionals and community partners who can help you.”
HMC has created a committee of employees, including current smokers and those who have successfully quit smoking, to help facilitate becoming tobacco-free. In implementing the new tobacco-free policy, the hospital plans to offer tobacco-cessation assistance to employees and patients.
HMC hopes hospital employees will help inform visitors and patients about the upcoming policy change. “This will not be easy,” Burns stated, “but it’s central to our continuing efforts to make Hardin Medical Center a great place to work and to receive health care.” HMC will also participate in outreach programs, along with other local organizations, to educate the community on the advantages of a healthy lifestyle.
Tobacco-Free Campus
Effective February 15, 2010, the use of tobacco products will not be allowed on
HMC properties, including buildings, grounds, parking lots, or in vehicles on HMC
property.
HMC is dedicated to creating a tobacco-free
campus because we arecommitted to the
health and safety of our
staff, patients, and
visitors.
All properties occupied
by HMC employees are
designated as part of the
tobacco-free campus.
Campus Map
The area outlined in red on the map below
shows Hardin Medical Center’s tobacco-free
boundaries. No tobacco use of any type will
be permitted inside the area outlined in red.
HMC asks that everyone respect these
boundaries and refrain from using tobacco
products within them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ‘tobacco-free campus’ mean?
Smoking or use of any tobacco products will
not be permitted on any HMC properties.
What is considered a tobacco product and
therefore prohibited?
Tobacco products include, but are not limited
to, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco,
and snuff.
Who does the policy apply to?
All employees, patients, physicians, students,
volunteers, vendors, contract/agency workers,
and visitors. In short, everyone.
Will there be any designated areas on the
HMC site where tobacco use is permitted?
No, there will be no designated “tobacco-use
areas” on any HMC property.
What HMC properties are included?
Tobacco product use will be prohibited on
the grounds of HMC, in all HMC buildings, in
any vehicle on the premises, and in the
parking lots.
Do patients and visitors have to quit using
tobacco?
No, the policy simply means that everyone
must refrain from using tobacco products
while on HMC property.
Education and Assistance
Will patients be allowed to use tobacco
products?
No, the policy extends to patients of HMC.
The patient’s physician should assess and discuss the need for nicotine replacement
therapy with the patient. Nicotine
replacement products will be made available
if ordered by your physician.
What if someone is in great stress and really
needs to use a tobacco product?
We understand that there will be cases where
visitors may be in stressful situations and
really want to use tobacco products. If you
find yourself in this situation, we ask that you
use a nicotine replacement product or leave
the HMC campus to use tobacco products.
If I choose to stop using tobacco products,
will HMC offer any help?
Although HMC does not currently offer
tobacco cessation classes to the public, there
are a number of resources available, including
those listed in this rochure. If you still have
questions, please speak with your physician
or primary medical caregiver.
Compliance
How will HMC enforce this policy?
HMC realizes that this is a major change. As a
result, we are asking individuals to think
about alternatives, such as nicotine gum or
lozenges if they will be visiting patients or
residents at HMC. Tobacco use will not be
allowed on Hardin Medical Center’s campus.
Tobacco Cessation Resources
Try-To-Stop Tobacco Resource Center
www.TrytoStop.org
Quitworks
www.Quitworks.com
Freedom from Smoking Online
www.FFSonline.org
Nicotine Anonymous©
(877) 879-6422 or www.SmokeFree.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(800) CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)
www.cdc.gov/tobacco/quit_smoking
Quitline®
(800) QUIT NOW (800-784-8669)
The use of tobacco products is not allowed on HMC properties, including buildings, grounds, parking lots, or vehicles on HMC property.
