Lower Umpqua Hospital is committed to emphasizing, educating and demonstrating
healthy lifestyles, as well as treating illnesses. It is also committed
to protecting the health, safety and comfort of patients, employees and
visitors, and to respect the rights of others who do not wish to be exposed
to the adverse effects of inhaling second-hand smoke.
General Policy:
Effective August 15, 2003, Lower Umpqua Hospital and the surrounding
campus will be a tobacco-free environment. Smoking and the use of smokeless
tobacco is prohibited inside and outside all Lower Umpqua Hospital buildings
including the hospital, EMS, Maintenance Shop, Home Health Hospice building,
and within any vehicles owned by Lower Umpqua Hospital.
Note: Employees and visitors are allowed to smoke in their private vehicles
provided they are at least 75 feet from the hospital, EMS, and maintenance
shop.
Patients:
Should a physician determine that a patient would be adversely affected
medically by abrupt withdrawal from nicotine, supporting documentation
and an order must be placed in the patient chart. Preference should be
given to meeting the need with nicotine-withdrawal measures (patch, gum,
etc.). Upon a physician order, patients are permitted to smoke outside
the facility, away from entrances, in the company of a responsible person.
Employees:
Department managers and supervisors are responsible for the administration
of this policy as it pertains to their departments.
Incidents of non-compliance involving employees will be subject to
the established disciplinary process.
Nicotine withdrawal aids, such as patches or gum, will be made available
to employees, at current hospital cost, through the pharmacy. The hospital
will pay for the first $190 of cessation aid for each employee.
Smoking cessation classes will periodically be provided at no cost
to employees and immediate family members who are attending with an employee.
Refer to the news article on Lower Umpqua
Hospital's smoke-free campus.
