Kansas Hospitals Are Kansas Hospitals Are Tobacco-FreeTobacco-Free

Kansas Public Health Association, Kansas Public Health Association, Inc.Inc.

2006 Fall Conference2006 Fall Conference

Cindy SamuelsonCindy SamuelsonKansas Hospital AssociationKansas Hospital Association

Tobacco in KansasTobacco in Kansas

• Tobacco use is the cause of death for more than 3,900 Kansans every year.

• More than 50,000 children currently living in Kansas will die prematurely from tobacco-related causes.

• In Kansas, tobacco use accounts for more than $720 million in medical expenditures each year.

Our missions drive usOur missions drive us

• Kansas hospitals have missions to provide care to improve the health and wellbeing of patients and their communities.

• Kansas hospitals are demonstrating their commitment to this mission by restricting the use of tobacco products on their campuses and facilities.

To create a safe placeTo create a safe place

• Currently … The state of Kansas prohibits smoking in medical care facilities licensed in Kansas.

• Tobacco use and second hand exposure pose health and safety risks for hospital patients, employees, health care providers and visitors as they access and move around hospital campuses.

• Our Goal … To remove second-hand smoke and other tobacco barriers for patients, hospital staff and others in and around our public spaces.

Healthy Kansans 2010Healthy Kansans 2010

• KHA participation in Healthy Kansas 2010 Steering Committee

• Two of the 10 leading health indicators and objectives selected to measure progress– Tobacco use– Environmental quality

Healthy Kansans 2010Healthy Kansans 2010

• There were four areas specifically identified by the Healthy Kansas 2010 initiatives where Kansas hospitals could make a difference

– Promote quitting – Eliminate exposure to tobacco products– Conduct and coordinate ongoing public awareness– Strengthen, enact and promote hospital policies that

protect people from the dangers of tobacco

Many endorsed our workMany endorsed our work

• Early in 2005, KHA began soliciting endorsements from other statewide health related groups

• Together, we encouraged all hospitals in Kansas to adopt and implement tobacco-free policies covering their buildings and properties

• To date, 81 hospitals have voluntarily gone tobacco-free or have pledged to go tobacco-free by Jan. 1, 2007

Many endorsed our workMany endorsed our workAmerican Cancer Association

American Heart Association

American Lung Association

Kansas Academy of Family Physicians

Kansas Association of Health Plans

Kansas Association Medical Staff Services

Kansas Foundation for Medical Care

Kansas Health Foundation

Kansas Healthcare Environmental Services Asso.

Kansas Hospital Human Resources Association

Kansas Medical Society

Kansas Organization of Nurse Leaders

Kansas Pharmacy Association/Hospital Pharmacists

Kansas Public Health Association

Kansas Respiratory Care Society

Kansas Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Kansas State Nurses Association

Oral Health Kansas

Sunflower Foundation

Tobacco Free Kansas Coalition

United Methodist Health Ministry Fund

Working togetherWorking together

• Tobacco-free toolkit for Kansas hospitals– Model hospital policy– Posters and public reminder cards– FAQ for employees and the public– Press release and newsletter articles– Sample letters (physicians, neighbors, etc.)

• Web site resources – www.kha-net.org

A voluntary effortA voluntary effort

• While many Kansas hospitals have taken a leadership role, others feel that until there is a consistent state policy, they will not be able to implement tobacco-free policies fairly and consistently.

• Legislative and/or regulatory assistance would help to assure that all Kansas hospitals implement similar policies.

KDHE and KHAKDHE and KHA

• Throughout 2006, KHA worked with KDHE to draft regulatory language and worked with state legislators to introduce legislative language implementing a state policy that covered tobacco use on hospital campuses.

• Unfortunately, in 2006, these initiatives were not successful, although we did not encounter any significant opposition.

Hospitals need supportHospitals need support

• In the upcoming 2007 legislative session, KHA will work with KDHE to develop legislative and/or regulatory proposals and pursue acceptance and implementation. This is important to:

• Promote good health – hospital patients are already ill or working to prevent further/future illness. Hospital patients should not be exposed to the impacts of tobacco;

• Prevent workforce problems – health care workers should not be incentivized to change their place of employment based on tobacco policies;

Hospitals need supportHospitals need support

• Prevent public confusion – patients, families and others who use or visit multiple hospitals in Kansas will understand and abide by similar policies; and

• Encourage leadership – the recent Surgeon General’s report underscores the scientific findings of the negative impact of even small amounts of second-hand smoke.

The report calls for completely smoke-free buildings and public places. Hospitals, more than any other place, should be a sanctuary for good health.

Hospitals Making an ImpactHospitals Making an Impact

• Kansas hospitals are making a difference in four areas specifically identified by the Healthy Kansas 2010 initiatives

– Promote quitting – Eliminate exposure to tobacco products– Conduct and coordinate ongoing public awareness– Strengthen, enact and promote hospital policies that

protect people from the dangers of tobacco

Sharing the HealthSharing the Health

• www.kha-net.org – Critical issues – Tobacco-Free

• Tobacco-Free Toolkits

• Continued Support of Legislative and/or Regulatory Efforts