Evaluation of a totally smoke-free forensic psychiatry inpatient facility: practice and policy implications
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Date
2014-07-08
Authors
Lawn, Sharon Joy
Hehir, Angela
Indig, Devon
Prosser, Shani
Macleod, Shona
Keller, Adrian
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
CSIRO Publishing
Rights
Journal compilation © the Australian Healthcare & Hospitals Association 2014
Rights Holder
the Australian Healthcare & Hospitals Association
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the impact of implementing smoke-free policy in an Australian high security forensic psychiatry inpatient hospital.
Methods: Focus groups (N=21) and surveys with patients (N=45) and surveys with staff (N=111, 53.2% nurses) elicited their experience and attitudes towards smoke-free policy. A follow-up survey elicited the impact of the policy on 15 patients’ smoking practice post discharge.
Results: Eighty-five percent of patients stated it was easier quitting when no-one else smoked. Over half of discharged patients surveyed (58%) continued to not smoke post-discharge, despite almost half of staff (41%) perceiving that patients were unlikely to quit long-term. Smoking staff were significantly more pessimistic than non-smoking staff. Many patients (69%) perceived that their health had improved as a result of not smoking. Most staff (80%) viewed nicotine dependence treatment as important, but fewer (66%) felt confident to support patients to stop smoking. Increased patient violence and management difficulties expected by staff were not realized.
Conclusions: Smoke-free policy can be successfully implemented in forensic psychiatry inpatient units. Nursing staff are a large and important group who need particular support to implement smoke-free policy into practice effectively, particularly those who are smokers. Continuity of care as part of a coordinated policy and service response is needed.
Description
Author version made available in accordance with the publisher's policy
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Citation
Lawn S, Hehir A, Indig D, Prosser S, Macleod S and Keller A (2014 ) Evaluation of a totally smoke-free forensic psychiatry inpatient facility: practice and policy implications. Australian Health Review 38(4): 476-482