Which hospitalized smokers receive a prescription for quit-smoking medication at discharge? A secondary analysis of a smoking cessation randomized clinical trial.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and predictors of receiving a smoking cessation medication prescription at discharge.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of ongoing Human Studies Committee-approved clinical trial data at large tertiary care center, The University of Kansas Medical Center. Patients included were smokers over 18, either Spanish or English speaking, those admitted between October 1, 2016 through May 31, 2018. Other eligibility criteria include access to a telephone or mobile phone, not currently be pregnant or breastfeeding, have no significant co-morbidity that precludes participation (acute, life-threatening illness, and communication barriers such as tracheal tube or altered mental status). Those included in this analysis were those randomized into the trial who expressed interest in receiving a smoking cessation medication prescription at discharge.

Results: Two hundred fourteen patients were recommended a prescription by their smoking cessation counselor, 88 patients (41.12%) were approved a prescription at discharge. Out of those approved, 50.70 (14.05 SD) was the average age, 12.84 (8.47 SD) was the average number of cigarettes used per day, 47 patients (53.41%) were White, 49 patients (55.68%) were admitted through the emergency department, 55 patients (62.50%) had used smoking cessation medication in the past, 49 patients (55.68%) had used inpatient smoking cessation, 36 patients (40.91%) had Medicaid. A binary logistic regression determined to show insurance status (P = 0.042) and use of inpatient smoking cessation medication use (P < 0.001) as statistically significant predictors of receiving a prescription at discharge.

Conclusion: It was determined that among the population recommended for medication, 41.12% actually received a prescription at discharge. The variables of "health insurance status" and "use of inpatient smoking cessation medication" demonstrated to be predictors of receiving a prescription. It is important to further study this as many patients rely on a prescription to afford these medications that are useful in a quit attempt.