University of Kansas Hospital - UKanQuit

In 2006, the hospital created UKanQuit, a hospital-based smoking cessation service that uses a four-step model. The first step identifies every patientâ€™s smoking status during hospital admission. Smokers are asked if they would like to speak with a tobacco treatment specialist. The second step occurs while the patient is in the hospital. A UKanQuit counselor counsels patients at bedside. Each meeting takes about 20 minutes. The third step occurs at the end of counseling to help patients prepare for discharge. The counselor arranges for continuing tobacco cessation treatment. The fourth step involves calling patients at six months to assess their cessation progress.

What is it?

In 2006, the hospital created UKanQuit, a hospital-based smoking cessation service that uses a four-step model. The first step identifies every patient’s smoking status during hospital admission. Smokers are asked if they would like to speak with a tobacco treatment specialist. The second step occurs while the patient is in the hospital. A UKanQuit counselor counsels patients at bedside. Each meeting takes about 20 minutes. The third step occurs at the end of counseling to help patients prepare for discharge. The counselor arranges for continuing tobacco cessation treatment. The fourth step involves calling patients at six months to assess their cessation progress.

Who is it for?

Hospital inpatients who use tobacco products.

Why do they do it?

Hospitalization provides a unique opportunity to initiate tobacco cessation among patients who smoke or use smokeless tobacco.

Impact

Since the program’s inception, more than 6,000 patients have received treatment, with a quit rate of 32 percent.

Contact: Dennis McCullough
Director, Public Relations & Government Relations
Telephone: 913-588-1441
E-mail: dmccullo@kumc.edu

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