Effect of an Evidence-based Inpatient Tobacco Dependence Treatment Service on 30-, 90-, and 180-Day Hospital Readmission Rates.

Introduction: Smoking is a risk factor for hospitalization and interferes with patient care due to its effects on pulmonary function, wound healing, and interference with treatments and medications. Although benefits of stopping smoking are well-established, few hospitals provide tobacco dependence treatment services (TDTS) due to cost, lack of mandatory tobacco cessation standards and lack of evidence demonstrating clinical and financial benefits to hospitals and insurers for providing services.

Methods: This study explored the effect of an inpatient TDTS on 30-, 90-, and 180-day hospital readmissions.

Feasibility of Implementing a Hospital-Based "Opt-Out" Tobacco-Cessation Service.

Objective: To assess the feasibility and outcomes of implementing a hospital-based "opt-out" tobacco-cessation service.

Methods: In 2014, the Medical University of South Carolina adopted a policy that all hospitalized patients who self-report using tobacco be referred to tobacco-cessation service. This is a descriptive study of a real-world effort to implement guidelines for a hospital-based cessation service consistent with Joint Commission's standards.