Effective January 1, 2009, Hardin Memorial Hospital will become a tobacco-free environment.  Tobacco use, of any kind, will no longer be permitted anywhere on hospital premises, including all owned or leased properties or any neighboring or adjacent properties.  Every individual who comes to the hospital will be affected by this change, including employees, volunteers, physicians, patients, family members, visitors, vendors and delivery services.

 

Approval of this initiative by Hardin Memorial Hospital's Senior Management Team results in the hospital joining more than 150 Ohio hospitals in providing a tobacco-free environment.  This includes OhioHealth's system hospitals which are tobacco free.

 

Pam Beverly, NEC stated,"Becoming a tobacco-free environment not only demonstrates Hardin Memorial's commitment to all aspects of healthcare, it also models healthy behavior for our staff, our patients and their families.  The time is right it is our responsibility to address this major health issue."

 

The difficulty of quitting the use of tobacco products is understood, and Hardin Memorial Hospital is committed to supporting anyone who wants to reduce their dependence on tobacco products.  Therefore, the hospital's clinical caregivers have been trained to offer support and smoking cessation information to inpatients, including smoking cessation counseling.  Nicotine replacement therapy products such as the nicotine patch or other medication may be suggested, if appropriate, for patients.  A collection of self-help material will also be available to inpatients and visitors through the Cardiopulmonary Department.

 

The State of Ohio offers free telephonic counseling and reduced-cost nicotine replacement therapy.  To find out more, please call the Ohio Tobacco QUIT LINE at (800)QUIT NOW (800/784-8669).