Presbyterian Hospital Takes Stand with Non-Smoking Campus
Hospitals‚ by nature‚ are places of healing. So‚ it makes perfect sense that they try to do everything possible to keep patients well.
That’s the primary reason that Presbyterian Healthcare Services has instituted a no-tobacco policy at all of its campuses for patients‚ visitors and employees.
Previously‚ the hospital group prohibited smoking inside all of its facilities but did have designated smoking areas on its campuses.
That all changed in November 2005‚ when the medical center kicked off its commitment to a healthier lifestyle. PHS now prohibits the use of cigarettes‚ chewing tobacco‚ cigars and other tobacco products.
“As a New Mexico health-care org anization dedicated to improving the health of individuals‚ families and communities‚ we want to send as strong a message as possible to our patients‚ members and employees that smoking and using tobacco is inconsistent with good health‚” says Mark Reifsteck‚ senior vice president and chief operating officer. “While we recognize that individuals have choices‚ we want to encourage the best choices for a healthy life.”
To back up the new policy‚ Presbyterian is offering employees a $75 reimbursement toward tobacco-cessation products and other cessation resources.
“Tobacco use is the leading prevent able cause of disease and death in the United States‚” says Todd Sandman‚ PHS director of public and government relations. “Second-hand smoke is a contri buting element to respiratory infec t ions‚ asthma‚ bronchitis and pneumonia.
“Presbyterian believes eliminating smoking on its campuses will reduce chronic exposure to second-hand smoke‚ reduce odors from smoking in its environments and support those who are trying to quit‚” he adds.
PHS has added new signs to educate patients and visitors about the new policy and is also promoting it in admission packets‚ when patients call to schedule appointments and in its other health-plan publications.
Presbyterian Healthcare Services‚ which is the only private‚ not-for-profit health-care system in New Mexico‚ has eight full-service hospitals in six com mu nities‚ including two in Albu querque. PHS has a total of 350 physicians who cover every medical specialty.
The main medical center under the PHS umbrella is Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque‚ which has 453 beds and is one of the largest providers of care in the entire southwestern United States.
“About 600‚000 of the 1.8 million residents of New Mexico are touched in some way by Presbyterian Healthcare System‚” says Jim Hinton‚ PHS president and CEO. “Our impact is obviously quite significant.”
