St. Elizabeth Medical Center will be going Tobacco-free effective January 1, 2014. This means that there will no longer be a designated place to smoke on any of the Medical Center owned properties. Our Tobacco-Free Campus policy will be updated to reflect these changes.
There are many reasons why we have decided to move forward with this.
During our last DNV Survey it was noted through a documented Non-Conformance citation that the Medical Center has not made any movement toward becoming Tobacco-Free. This is an ISO requirement.
As a healthcare provider it seems to make sense that we encourage healthy behaviors for patients, visitors and employees.
As an employer we should assist those who wish to quit, and not provide the means to smoke while at work.
Throughout the upcoming weeks and months, we will be implementing a number of reminders as we approach a Tobacco-Free facility. Also, we will continue to provide information and assistance on how our employees and community members can begin the process to quit.
The decision to smoke is up to the individual, and going Tobacco-Free does not mean we are telling you that you must quit, but what we are saying is that you use tobacco products on Medical Center property. We do encourage those who have tried and failed or those considering quitting, to take advantage of the numerous opportunities the Medical Center will be making available to Employees, Volunteers, contract employees and members of the Medical Staff.