Motivate patients to stop smoking
Healthcare Benchmarks and Quality Improvement 18(1): 6-7
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 1541-1052 PMID: 21265385 Document Number: 652530
The Cleveland (OH) Clinic study results show that smokers have significantly more complications post-surgery than non-smokers, including a higher death rate. Since Aug. 25, 2010, Medicare has reimbursed physicians who provide counseling for outpatients and hospitalized patients to prevent tobacco use. The ASA encourages anesthesiologists to ask all patients about their tobacco use, advise those who do use to stop, and refer patients to other resources that can get them the assistance, such as the toll-free number (800) QUIT NOW.