CM 00-12



DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER

Oklahoma City, OK

_______________________________________________________________________________

September 14, 2011

Center Memorandum 00-12 001/TD:sg

SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENT

1. Summary: Center Memorandum 00-12, dated August 24, 2010, is rescinded and reissued.

2. Purpose: To protect and promote the health, welfare and safety of all patients, visitors, volunteers and associates, including smokers and non-smokers by providing a smoke-free environment.

3. Scope: This policy applies to all staff, inpatients, outpatients, visitors and volunteers while in the medical center.

4. Policy: Smoking is prohibited throughout the medical center complex. This prohibition applies to all areas within the medical center buildings, building entrance areas, and government owned/leased vehicles. Smoking is only allowed in the designated areas as outlined in this policy.

5. Responsibilities:

All staff members are charged with the responsibility for promoting non-smoking and reinforcing the goals of this memorandum. The clinical staff is further asked to provide cessation assistance and referral opportunities for those associates and patients who choose to stop smoking.

Veterans will be informed of the "No Smoking" environment at this medical center prior to their admission by the admitting office and prior to their appointments for outpatient care through the mail-out appointment letter.

Health education regarding cigarette smoke, tobacco products and available cessation programs shall be continually publicized throughout the medial center by the Environment of Care Committee.

All associates are asked to assist in enforcing this policy, the same as many other policies are enforced throughout the medical center. Friendly reminders to individuals not adhering to the policy are recommended. If verbal communication is ineffective, VA Form 6160, Courtesy Violation Notice is to be used by medical center police officers.

The Environment of Care Committee is charged with monitoring the amount of smoking activity occurring that is contrary to this policy through the Life Safety Program, making recommendations to correct any smoking activities.

6. Procedures:

a. Associates:

While on duty, associates are authorized to smoke within designated smoking areas only while on medical center property. In accordance with VHA IL 10-2011-008, E-cigarette usage is restricted to designated smoking areas.

No littering of medical center property with cigarette butts, etc. is permitted.

Associates violating the provisions of this policy may be notified of this by issuance of VA Form 6160 Courtesy Violation Notice issued by medical center police officers.

Disregard of this medical center memorandum will be considered an offense, one for which supervisors may take appropriate disciplinary action.

Prospective and new associates will be informed of the Medical Center Smoke Free Policy. A copy of the policy will be included in the employee orientation packet.

A smoking cessation program is being sponsored by the medical center. Associates committed to stop smoking will be authorized to attend a cessation course during their regularly scheduled tour of duty. Any additional enrollment in subsequent sessions will be scheduled during the associate's time. Information on the smoking cessation program can be found at extension 3940.

b. Patients: The sale of tobacco products, including cigarettes to patients, will not be permitted at this medical center.

All those entering the hospital buildings will be notified of the Medical Center Smoke-Free Policy through signs posted at all doors. These signs will also indicate what outdoor areas on the property are available for smoking.

Any patients found smoking cigarettes or E-cigarettes in the hospital or in non-designated areas outside will be asked to comply with this policy.

Patients refusing or unable to adhere to this medical center memorandum will be identified. All smoking material will be removed from these patients and retained until discharged.

Patients known to smoke and who have violated this policy will be subjected to periodic inspections for possession of tobacco products.

(5) Attending physicians will be notified of patients violating this policy and appropriate documentation will be recorded in the patient's medical record for the nursing care plan for the patient.

c. Designated Smoking Areas: Three areas outside the medical center buildings have been designated for smoking. These areas are shown on Attachment #1 and identified with signs (cordoned off) to indicate their limits. These areas are as follows:

1) Basement near southwest entrance. This area is partially closed in with heating and cooling in the enclosure.

2) South of the laundry building. This area is totally enclosed with heating and cooling available.

3) West of the back emergency room entrance. This area is provides covered seating for smokers.

References: VHA Directive 98-006.

VHA IL 10-2011-008: Electronic Cigarettes (E-Cigarettes)

Follow-Up Responsibility: Director (00).

Renewal Date: September 14, 2015

DAVID P. WOOD, MHA, FACHE Medical Center Director

Attachment

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Center Memorandum 00-12, September 14, 2011

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