Tobacco-Free
Southeast Georgia Health System is a tobacco-free organization. Under this
policy, all patients, visitors, residents, medical staff members, team
members and vendors are asked to refrain from tobacco use of any kind
on all Health System properties, including hospital campuses, parking
lots, grounds, rental properties and off-campus facilities such as our
immediate care centers.
As a health care organization, we are committed to the health and safety
of our team members and patients. We believe that we have a responsibility
to take a leadership role on this major health issue, and establishing
our entire campus as tobacco-free firmly supports that belief.
The U.S. Surgeon General has confirmed that exposure to secondhand tobacco
smoke is a serious health hazard and that there is no risk-free level
of exposure. Tobacco use in and around hospitals poses health and safety
risks for patients, employees and visitors.
Tobacco Cessation Resource Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why is Southeast Georgia Health System totally tobacco-free?
A. Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of disease and death in
the U.S. It is a factor in heart disease,
cancer,
strokes and lung disease. Secondhand smoke contributes to respiratory infections,
asthma, heart disease, and cancer. In addition to the health related issues
caused by tobacco use, a frequent concern voiced by our patients has been
the overwhelming smell of tobacco on some of our team members. As a tobacco-free
health system, we are creating a healthier environment for everyone on
our campuses and also addressing a common patient complaint.
Q. What does tobacco-free health system mean?
A. The use of tobacco, including cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, pipes
and chewing tobacco is not allowed anywhere on
Health System properties. This includes inside our buildings, sidewalks, walkways, outside patios,
parking lots, and entrances. There are no designated areas for tobacco
use on any of the campuses.
Q. To whom does this policy change apply?
A. The policy applies to everyone: team members, physicians,
volunteers, students, patients,
visitors, vendors, and contractors who work in or visit our buildings, parking
lots and grounds.
Q. Are there designated smoking areas?
A. No. Tobacco use and second hand smoke exposure are known health hazards.
We are committed to providing a healthy environment by eliminating exposure
to secondhand smoke while on our campuses. Eliminating smoking on our
campuses also supports those who are trying to quit and eliminates odors
on team members who come in contact with patients.
Q. What kind of support are we providing to team members who want to stop
using tobacco?
A. The Health System offers the American Cancer Society’s
Fresh Start tobacco cessation classes for our team members and their family members covered by our benefits
plan, medical staff and volunteers. Please contact the
Health Promotion and Wellness Department at 912-466-5160 for more information regarding these classes and other
support services available.
There are also nicotine replacement and medication options. Nicotine gum
and patches are currently available for purchase in the
Medical Center Pharmacy on the Brunswick Campus.. Consult your doctor about your plans for quitting
and for help deciding what is best for you.
Q. How are we educating patients, visitors, and the public about our tobacco-free
initiative?
A. The Health System has
information and educational materials about our tobacco-free health system. Communications via the newspapers,
campus signage, our website and targeted mailings were facilitated in
order to make people aware of our policy.
Q: Do team members, patients and visitors have to quit using tobacco?
A: No. The Health System is not forcing anyone to quit. This policy means
individuals can't use tobacco products on Health System property.
Q. What educational programs are being offered to team members?
A. Team member education was conducted at the department level. Beginning
January 2012, each department head was responsible for providing educational
sessions for team members regarding the
tobacco-free policy. Information is also available on our team member portal.
Q. Is smoking allowed in my car while it is parked on Health System property?
A. No, tobacco use is not allowed in your car while it is parked on Health
System property.
Q. Will inpatients be allowed to go off-campus somewhere to smoke once
we go tobacco-free?
A. In-patients may not leave their unit or the Health System property to
use tobacco. If the patient is asking about leaving to smoke, you should
contact the patient’s physician for assistance with managing their
nicotine craving and remind the patient of the tobacco-free policy
Q. What if an inpatient leaves the unit anyway once we are tobacco-free?
A. If a competent patient continues to insist and actually leaves the unit,
do not attempt to physically stop the patient unless you believe that
they are in grave danger of injury due to equipment or medical condition.
Document the absence in the medical record and contact the patient’s
physician.
Q. What resources/assistance will be available to help team members feel
comfortable in approaching smokers and reporting violators to managers?
A. Scripts were provided to help our team members know what they should
say. Information cards were also developed that can be handed to smokers
to inform them of the tobacco-free environment. We want to convey that
this tobacco-free initiative is the right thing to do. We are providing
a better place for people to visit and work.
Q. Isn't tobacco use a personal legal right?
A. An organization has the right to limit or eliminate tobacco use on their
property. We are not requiring
patients, visitors,
volunteers or existing team members and medical staff to quit using tobacco, but
we do require that they refrain from tobacco use while on Health System
campuses, owned or leased property.
Q. How can we help visitors avoid using tobacco while on Health System campuses?
A. Visitors may not utilize tobacco products on any Health System grounds.
Nicotine gum is available for purchase in the
Medical Center Pharmacy on the Brunswick Campus. We ask that visitors are considerate of our neighbors,
and not use tobacco on their property either. We strive to be a leader
in health care by promoting a healthy image to the community.