Jefferson Healthcare

Recognizing the hazards and high costs of workplace smoking, hospital commissioners voted to make Jefferson Healthcare a smoke-free campus as of March 1, 2008. The date was moved up from the original date of July 1. This means that Jefferson Healthcare will enforce no-smoking regulations throughout its campus-inside and out-including its clinic facilities.

The new policy will apply to employees, medical staff, patients, visitors, and volunteers everywhere on the campus, including inside vehicles. Prior to this, Jefferson Healthcare has followed state law and required employees and visitors to be at least 25 feet away from the hospital and clinic facilities while smoking. The new ruling means that employees, patients, and visitors will not be able to smoke at all while at any Jefferson Healthcare facility. The hospital will enforce its no smoking policy throughout its facilities.

According to Brenda Diprete, pharmacist and smoking cessation counselor, it is important for hospitals to model healthy behavior and to educate their communities. "Implementation of a smoke-free environment sends a clear message of the commitment to create and sustain a health community," she said.

In preparation for the smoke-free environment, Jefferson Healthcare will be offering "Freedom from Smoking" classes to employees and to the public. Employees also will be offered free medication, if needed, to support them in their efforts to quit smoking.

As part of best clinical practices and to encourage their future good health, all patients who smoke will be offered smoking cessation counseling before discharge from the hospital.

The next "Freedom from Smoking" class is scheduled for April 16 through May 28. Please call 385-2200, ext. 2300 for more information.