Smoke-free hospital

- Along with other medical facilities in the province, over the years, the Provincial Rehabilitation Hospital has been actively building a "smoke-free hospital" model, considering this a criterion linked to hospital quality and patient satisfaction.

Staff at the Provincial Rehabilitation Hospital educate patients about the harmful effects of tobacco.

The Provincial Rehabilitation Hospital currently has 7 departments and wards with over 110 staff members and employees. On average, the hospital sees more than 100 patients for examination and treatment each day. To create a smoke-free healthcare environment, the hospital has disseminated information about the harmful effects of tobacco use, emphasized the regulations of the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harm, and outlined the steps to build a smoke-free environment to all staff members and employees in each department and ward. Each healthcare worker acts as a communicator, responsible for setting an example, reminding, explaining, and guiding patients to comply with regulations. Annually, 100% of healthcare staff sign a commitment not to smoke within the hospital grounds.

Simultaneously, the hospital established a coordination mechanism between departments, from security and nursing to the social work department, to promptly remind people when smoking is detected within the hospital grounds. They also organized training for staff on communication skills, counseling for smoking cessation, and appropriate behavior when reminding patients and their families about smoking. Furthermore, the hospital actively integrated awareness campaigns into staff meetings, patient council meetings, and thematic activities to help everyone understand the harmful effects of tobacco.

Dr. Trieu Quang Phu, Director of the Provincial Rehabilitation Hospital, said: Along with direct communication, the hospital also focuses on "static communication" – that is, using space and images to spread the message. Signs, posters, and leaflets are arranged scientifically and are easy to see, helping patients to be gently but continuously reminded. The long-term goal is to make not smoking a voluntary action, helping patients have a clean environment for recovery and effective treatment.

To date, the hospital has installed 16 "no smoking" signs in easily visible locations and deployed 34 cameras in 8 areas where crowds often gather for monitoring purposes.

At the Department of Internal Medicine and Nutrition, which has a large number of patients undergoing long-term treatment, reminders and awareness campaigns are implemented flexibly. Dr. Doan Van Truong, Head of the Department of Internal Medicine and Nutrition, shared: Patients are instructed about not smoking in the hospital area right from the reception desk. The department assigns staff to regularly check and monitor in patient rooms, corridors, and grounds. As a result, the awareness of patients and their families has changed significantly, and their self-discipline has increased.

From the beginning of 2025 until now, the rate of people being reprimanded for smoking on the premises has decreased by nearly 60% compared to 2024. Mr. Nguyen Van Hung, 72 years old, from Block 2, Tam Thanh Ward, shared: "While being treated for the after-effects of a stroke, I found the environment here very clean and free of cigarette smoke. My son used to smoke, but after a few explanations from the nurses, he voluntarily quit while taking care of me. Now, breathing in the fresh air, I feel more comfortable, and my recovery is faster."

The establishment of a "smoke-free hospital" at the Provincial Rehabilitation Hospital is gradually becoming a civilized way of life in the healthcare environment. The smell of cigarette smoke is gone from the corridors and waiting rooms, replaced by a fresh, friendly atmosphere and a sense of reassurance for patients. This is not only compliance with legal regulations but also demonstrates the responsibility of the healthcare sector in protecting public health, aiming for each healthcare facility to be a truly safe, clean, and beautiful place for patients to recover their health.