Implementing smoking bans in American hospitals: results of a national survey

• DOI: 10.1136/tc.7.1.47
• Publication Date: 2009-01-06T18:54:27Z
• Authors: D. R Longo; M. M Feldman; R. L Kruse; R. C Brownson; G. F Petroski; J. E Hewett
• Keywords: Stratified Sampling

<h3>OBJECTIVES</h3> To determine how well hospitals complied with the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) tobacco control standards, which required banning smoking in hospital buildings; to explore issues involved developing and implementing bans; ascertain perceived success policies. <h3>DESIGN</h3> Postal survey conducted January through June 1994. <h3>PARTICIPANTS</h3> Stratified random sample American surveyed by JCAHO (n = 1055). <h3>MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES</h3> Enacting policies more restrictive than standard; respondent's judgment relative hospital's policy. <h3>RESULTS</h3> More 96% ban 41.4% enacted that were JCAHO. Several characteristics associated exceeding requirements: location a "non-tobacco state"; having fewer 100 beds; metropolitan statistical area; unionised employees; no psychiatric or substance abuse unit, favour same policy psychiatry units as rest hospital. 95% respondents viewed their successful. The requirements concern for employees' health major forces influencing go smoke-free. Negative employee morale lack acceptance visitors patients most commonly cited barriers overcome when smoke-free <h3>CONCLUSIONS</h3> Smoking bans successfully implemented hospitals, many restricting beyond standard. Other industries wishing follow hospitals' lead would be likely succeed context social norm favouring regulation an outside agency.