Smoke-free hospital

- Together with medical facilities in the province, in recent years, the Provincial Rehabilitation Hospital has been actively building a model of "Smoke-free hospital", considering this a criterion associated with hospital quality and patient satisfaction.

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

The Provincial Rehabilitation Hospital currently has 7 departments and rooms with more than 110 staff and workers. On average, the hospital has more than 100 people examined and treated every day. To build a smoke-free medical environment, the hospital has disseminated information about the harmful effects of tobacco use, thoroughly grasped the regulations on the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms and steps to build a smoke-free environment to all staff and workers in each department and room. Each medical staff is a propagandist, responsible for setting an example, reminding, explaining and guiding patients to comply with regulations. Every year, 100% of medical staff and workers sign a commitment not to smoke on hospital grounds.

At the same time, the hospital established a coordination mechanism between departments from security, nursing to the social work department to promptly remind when detecting cases of smoking in the hospital area. At the same time, it organized training for officers and employees on communication skills, smoking cessation counseling and appropriate behavior when reminding patients and their families. In addition, the hospital actively integrated propaganda into meetings, patient council meetings, and thematic activities so that everyone clearly understood 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 messages. Signs, posters, and leaflets are arranged scientifically and are easy to see, helping patients to always be reminded gently but continuously. The long-term goal is to turn not smoking into a voluntary action, helping patients have a clean space to recuperate and receive effective treatment.

To date, the hospital has installed 16 no-smoking signs in visible locations and set up 34 cameras in 8 crowded areas for surveillance.

At the Department of Internal Nutrition, where many patients are treated for a long time, reminders and propaganda work are implemented flexibly. Doctor Doan Van Truong, Head of the Department of Internal Nutrition, shared: Patients are instructed not to smoke in the hospital area right from the reception desk. The department arranges staff to regularly check and monitor in the patient's room, hallway, and campus. Thanks to that, the awareness of patients and their families has changed significantly, and self-awareness has increased.

From the beginning of 2025 until now, the rate of people being reminded for smoking in the premises has decreased by nearly 60% compared to 2024. Mr. Nguyen Van Hung, 72 years old, block 2, Tam Thanh ward shared: When I went to the hospital to treat the sequelae of a stroke, I found the environment here very fresh, no longer smelling of cigarette smoke. My child used to smoke, but after being explained by the nurse a few times, he voluntarily quit while taking care of me. Now, when I breathe fresh air, I feel more comfortable, and my recovery is also faster.

The construction of a “smoke-free hospital” at the Provincial Rehabilitation Hospital is gradually becoming a civilized way of life in the medical environment. There is no more smell of cigarette smoke in the hallways and waiting rooms, instead there is fresh, friendly air and peace of mind for patients. This is not only compliance with legal regulations, but also demonstrates the responsibility of the medical sector in protecting public health, aiming at the goal that each medical facility is truly a safe, clean and beautiful place, helping patients recover their health.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/xay-dung-benh-vien-khong-khoi-thuoc-5064755.html