Smoking cessation ideas for in pt psych

DavidLCPCCSADC · Jan 20, 2009

I went through this early last year with our patients. My review of the research suggested that the patients generally take to it easier than the staff does. Indeed, our staff anticipated issues but they were minimal. Giving patients access to the "patch" can be helpful. Otherwise you could simply google smoking cessation for several fact sheets and tips.

IamRN08 · Jan 20, 2009

Thank you for your reply David. I have fact sheets and such, what I was looking for are guidelines on how to run groups for pts on the topic of smoking cessation. I was hoping that someone had perhaps run a group previously and might be able to give me some tips and info.

RochesterRN-BSN, BSN, RN · Jan 22, 2009

What state and city are you in IAMRN08?? I am in NY and my partner is a social worker in a residential drug rehab program. She has gone to classes/inservices put on about smoking cessation as they are regulated by the New York State OASAS --their new view is that all CD programs have to be smoke free and treat tobacco the same as all other drugs. They have to follow these regs to be financially supported and able to run. Many of these programs are for MICA people--so they have to deal with the smoking issue with patients with mental health and chemical dependance. I looked at their web site and they offer trainings and resources, etc. I would see if OASAS is who regulates CD in your state and see what they can provide you with for materials for groups, trainings for you to learn how to run groups for tobacco cessation.....etc.

This is a book about how to run this kind of group.....You could look for it at a local Barnes and Noble.......not sure how soon you have to start these groups.......

https://www.cambridge.org/asia/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=9780521709255&ss=exc

I am in NY as I said and most if not all the hospitals in this area have gone stricly smoke free. I thought for sure my psych patients would not do well with this change and yes there are some now and then who really make a big deal of it but a lot less of a problem then I thought it would be--we offer patches, nicotine gum and lozenges and it helps a lot. On the NY state OASAS page there are Nicotine replacement guidlines. Good luck!

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Jan 22, 2009

What if you have patient's that don't want to quit? I would suggest making nicotiene gum available to those. The psych facilities in my area have been smoke free for two years, but they offer the gum to their pts.

IamRN08 · Jan 22, 2009

Excellent info thank you so much! I am in NJ and I did find some guidelines regarding groups for MICA pts online from the state so hopefully I can work this out. I am going to check this OASIS book.

RochesterRN-BSN, BSN, RN · Jan 22, 2009

Dont get confused though----its OASAS not OASIS--with an I is a geriatric association and with an A is CD! lol

And as far as if patients don't want to quit this is what I say to them,

"I respect your right to choose weather you smoke or not and if you are not ready to quit, its okay, thats your choice. However we have strict rules that don't allow anyone, including visitors and staff, to smoke anywhere on the hospital grounds. I understand that this is really hard for you and we want to at least try to keep you comfortable while you are here with us so would you like to try a nicotine patch or gum?"

I find that if they see I am not trying to make them quit and take away there independance and right to smoke they are much more responsive.. And that this rule is not just for patients like him but for everyone staff included. They dont feel quite as targeted.

IamRN08 · Jan 22, 2009

Gotcha... thanks for catching my typo.

IamRN08 · Jan 26, 2009

A lot of the patients don't want to quit and I can't say either way if I am for or against the whole no smoking at hospital thing. However, our facility is going smoke free and yes they will provide patches and gum and things like lolly pops to help the transition. My goal is to give our patients some assistance through the transition best I can. I just read that smoking actually increases the amount of psych meds pts have to take for the intended goal. I am trying to research the validity of that because our pts hate taking their meds so if this really true then that would be a nice way to empower pts is my thinking.

What if you have patient's that don't want to quit? I would suggest making nicotiene gum available to those. The psych facilities in my area have been smoke free for two years, but they offer the gum to their pts.