Bendigo Health is proud to support an organisation-wide, nurse led approach that systematically supports smokers to quit.
The focus of this initiative is on creating a supportive environment for patients to be smoke-free. In a nutshell, the smoking status of all patients is identified on admission. If a patient is a current smoker, protocols are triggered which see nurses initiate Nicotine Replacement Therapy, supporting drug protocols, referral to specialist support internally, and referral to community services on discharge.
Building rapport and trust has been integral to this movement. In-services, nurse network meetings, smoke-free nursing champions, and an online learning module have enabled this change to be implemented across the organisation. In 2015-16 alone, over 1000 staff received training and/or mentoring to support this initiative, and over 160 patients reduced or quit smoking.
Bendigo Health is a completely smoke free organisation and member of the Victorian Network of Smokefree Healthcare Services. All Victorian health services are encouraged to join the network to learn, share and support smoke-free environments for employees, patients, volunteers and visitors.
For further information on Bendigo Health’s efforts visit the website or for more information see the Victorian Network of Smokefree Healthcare Services.
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