- 9/14/2009
BCH a Model for Tobacco-Free Campuses
Bucyrus Community Hospital’s Tobacco Treatment team was pleased to host interviewers from the Joint Commission and Henry Ford Health System in September as subjects in a study to assist hospitals wishing to implement a tobacco-free campus similar to BCH.
More than 1,900 Joint Commission-accredited hospitals responded to a survey assessing current smoking policies and future plans. Smoking cessation counseling rates were assessed through nationally-standardized measures. As a result of its answers and the success rate of the Tobacco Treatment program, BCH is one of only 10 hospitals nationwide to receive a personal visit and interview.
“Our innovative Tobacco Treatment team had the full support of our CEO and our volunteer board right from the start. Becoming a 100% tobacco free campus was a relatively smooth process because of their unwavering position in seeing the idea become a reality”, Suzanne Binau, BCH Tobacco RE Coordinator noted.
The interview’s primary focus was to find out how hospitals have enforced smoke-free policies after implementing them. Ultimately, a tool-kit will be published with the research finding and hospitals nationwide will be able to use them as they develop tobacco-free campuses of their own.
Hospital spokesman, Nate Roshon was proud to host the interviewers, “Here at BCH, we love being the first to do things. Whether it is the outreach programs we provide or being Ohio’s first tobacco-free campus, we always strive to not only do something but do it well, and, whenever possible, do it first”
Joanne M. Hafner, the Associate Project Director with the Division of Quality Measurement & Research for The Joint Commission, responded following the interview with a sincere thanks to BCH, “Your story will help expand our knowledge and understanding of the challenges hospitals face when implementing and maintaining their smoke-free campus policy and the on-going efforts taken to address these challenges.”