Staff smoking rates at VGH cut by one-quarter

Almost all of you have seen them. The signs around Vancouver General Hospital, the alarms, information booths and music video, to get staff, patients and visitors to stop smoking on the site. But have those messages worked? According to a recent study, they did.

But have all of those messages and tools benefitted staff? According to a recent study, they did.

Since November 2012 when VGH launched its anti-smoking campaign, puffing among staff has decreased by nearly a quarter, 24 per cent, with an 83 per-cent decrease in complaints from patients about staff smoking.

“A heartfelt thank you to all the staff who have been so supportive of the Smoke Free Campaign,” said Vivian Eliopoulos, executive director, Vancouver – Acute Services. “Right from the start, many of you from across VCH volunteered your own time to participate in our Smoke Free Music Video, which visibly demonstrates your commitment to the campaign. This video is now embedded in our staff orientation. Your continued engagement is evident in the feedback and comments you send in, so we can keep our grounds smoke free – thank you so much.”

Interestingly, while VGH saw a significant decrease in staff smoking, it also saw a 15-per-cent increase in patient smoking.

Here are more notable findings from the study:

• 99% of VCH staff are aware of the Smoke-Free Premises Policy on any VCH site; 81% public
• Overall, 96% of staff support the Smoke-Free Premises Policy; 91% public
• 65% of people interviewed on VGH property were aware of the Smoke Free Policy
• The highest number of cigarette butts were found outside JPP on W. 12th Ave next to the electrical box
•  There is a 24% decrease in staff smoking with a 15% increase in patient smoking
•  Complaints from the public have reduced by 83%

“As a people first organization, it is critical that we promote the health and safety of all of our patients, staff and visitors,” said Michelle de Moor, operations director, Emergency, ICU & BPTU, Patient Flow & Access. “Sending the strong message that as an organization we want to support individuals to quit smoking, and provide them with the tools to do…coupled with the ‘no smoking on the property’ policy reinforces that we are putting the health of these individuals first – and that we are serious about it.”