Tobacco-Free Campus:

Frequently Asked Questions

Carondelet Health Network implemented a completely tobacco-free environment policy in March 2006. Use of tobacco products is prohibited both indoors and outdoors on all Carondelet properties.

The following are frequently asked questions and responses regarding the tobacco-free environment.

Q: Which Carondelet facilities are affected by the tobacco-free initiative?

A:

• Carondelet St. Mary’s Hospital
• Carondelet St. Joseph’s Hospital
• Carondelet Holy Cross Hospital
• All Carondelet Medical Group locations
• Carondelet Medical Group administrative office
• Carondelet Imaging Center
• Carondelet Hospice and Palliative Care
• Carondelet Medical Mall at Rita Ranch
• Carondelet Medical Mall in Green Valley
• Casita Jose and Casita Maria
• Carondelet Foundation
• SportsPlus Physical Therapy
• Carondelet Health Network Offices
• Butterfield
• St. Mary’s Imaging Center
• Villa Annex

Q: Why are the Carondelet Ambulatory Surgery Centers not tobacco-free?

A: The Carondelet Ambulatory Surgery Centers, while affiliated with Carondelet Health Network, are private and separate entities who have selected not to have tobacco-free campuses at this time.

Q: Can we smoke during work breaks?

A: It is CHN policy that associates receive two paid rest breaks as work loads permit during the work day. Since these breaks occur at Carondelet campuses, you cannot smoke during that time. This applies to associates with both exempt and non-exempt status. If you choose to smoke during your lunch break, you must leave the CHN campus. This means non-exempt employees must clock in and out when they leave for lunch breaks.

Q: Why is Carondelet Health Network tobacco-free?

A: As leading providers and corporate citizens of Tucson and Southern Arizona, Carondelet Health Network and Carondelet Medical Group are committed to establishing and promoting wellness initiatives that support our mission as health care providers. Providing a healthy environment for patients, visitors, associates, volunteers and physicians is an important part of our efforts.

Q: Why was tobacco use selected versus other health risks?

A: Consider these facts:

• Patients who use tobacco regularly before surgery have twice the risk of wound infections as non-smokers or tobacco users.
• Smoking and tobacco use can delay wound healing.
• More than 450,000 people die prematurely each year from tobacco-related diseases.

Many people are not aware of how tobacco use impacts health care and recovery. With our environment tobacco-free, we are addressing an important health risk.

Q: Given the stress that families face during hospitalization, how does this policy support our commitment to patients and families?

A: Our intent is to intervene, educate and heal through tobacco cessation resources to assist patients and family members when they are on campus. Patients and families have access to counselors if they wish to work toward tobacco cessation and/or acquire techniques to help make their stay more tolerable. Physicians can order nicotine replacement, and the hospitals will provide hard candies and gum for patients, visitors and associates for a limited time.

Q: Why don’t we have selective placement of smoking areas for associates, patients and visitors?

A: Providing a place to smoke or to use tobacco does not support our goal to create a healthier environment. Instead, we need to eliminate the triggers—like smoking areas—that make tobacco cessation difficult.

Q: How do patients and visitors know about this policy?

A: Signage is posted near every entrance into the hospital. Tabletop signs are posted at information desks, in the cafeteria and waiting rooms. Patients also are informed about this policy prior to admission. All associates are responsible for informing visitors of this policy; each facility provides explanation cards for this purpose.

Q: How will this policy be enforced?

A: Any Carondelet staff, physician, or volunteer who uses tobacco within the non-tobacco use boundary will be reminded that Carondelet Health Network is committed to health and wellness and asked that they respect our policy and refrain from using tobacco products on our campus.

All associates are responsible for informing visitors of this policy; each facility provides explanation cards for this purpose.

Q:  What resources are available to help me interact with people addicted to tobacco?

A:  If you see a person using tobacco and are uncomfortable talking to them about it, there are cards available that you may give to these individuals. The message informs them of our policy and requests that they comply. These cards are available for order from Standard Register. Order a supply for your unit or office today!

Additional resources are available on CAROL: Click on Patient Care Tools, then click on Tobacco Free Resources. This page contains many resources available to help you interact with patients, visitors and fellow employees who continue to use tobacco on a Carondelet campus. 

Highlights include:

·         Patient care handouts are located at the bottom of the page and are divided into two categories: Patients who want to quit, and patients who do not want to quit after discharge.  All materials are available in English and Spanish.

·         A link titled “Implementation of Tobacco Free Resources on Inpatient Units” is at the bottom of page and will bring you to the Carondelet Learning Library where you can do a search on this title. This search result will lead you to a Power Point SLP that outlines the entire procedure for providing care to a patient who is addicted to tobacco. The SLP is a mandatory, yearly requirement for all bedside caregivers.

·         Policies associated with the Tobacco Free Campus are at the top right of the page and include: Tobacco Free Environment, Timekeeping Standards, Rest Breaks, and Corrective Action.

Q: Where can I go to get information on tobacco cessation programs?

A: At Carondelet Health Network go to your Occupational Health Departments at St. Mary’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital, or Holy Cross Hospital. You can also call the Arizona Smokers’ Helpline at 1-800-556-6222 for classes and discounts on nicotine patches.

Q: Will I be reimbursed for nicotine replacement products?

A: Carondelet Health Network will reimburse you up to $100.00 for nicotine replacement products. Some cessation programs will offer up to 50% off smoking cessation products, as does the Arizona Smokers’ Helpline.

Q: How do I get reimbursed?

A: You will need to complete an “Employee Expense Report Form” which can be found on CHN’s public drive (p:) in the forms folder. Bring or send the completed “Employee Expense Report Form” form with the original receipt to Linda Goodhue, Human Resources St. Joseph’s Hospital. You can also call Linda at 873-3718 for additional questions. Your reimbursement will be included with your payroll check.

All CSC, Sodexo, Morrison’s, Tucson Heart Hospital and volunteer associates who wish to be reimbursed will need to complete a check request form. You may obtain this form from the CSM,CSJ, CHC, or THH Human Resources departments. Complete the check request and submit it along with original receipts, to Linda Goodhue, HR at St. Joseph’s. Call Linda at 873-3718 for additional information. 

Q: What is nicotine replacement therapy?

A: Nicotine is the drug in cigarettes and other forms of tobacco that causes addiction. Nicotine replacement therapy can double and in some cases triple the rate of success for a person attempting to stop smoking. Nicotine replacement products deliver small, steady doses of nicotine into the body, which helps to relieve the withdrawal symptoms experienced by people trying to quit smoking. These products are available in five forms: patch, gum, nasal spray, inhaler and lozenge. Their effectiveness appears to be comparable to each other. There is strong evidence that combining nicotine replacement therapy with counseling achieves higher successful quit rates and is the recommended intervention for a person dependent on tobacco who wants to quit.

Thank you for your cooperation!  

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