OKLAHOMA CITY — More than 40,000 patients have been referred to the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline.
Hospitals Helping Patients Quit, which is funded by the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, recently reached the referral milestone.
“Tobacco use is still the leading cause of death in Oklahoma and this public-private partnership has changed hospital systems across Oklahoma by identifying tobacco users when they arrive for care,” said Julie Bis- bee, executive director.
“This critical step enables trained medical professionals to offer life-saving advice about quitting tobacco through the confidential and trusted bond of a doctor-patient relationship. Patients who say they are ready to quit can opt into services from the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline while at their visit. The direct connection to Helpline services removes barriers and makes it easy for patients to start their quit journey, she said.”
News in Brief Tobacco users who receive a clinical cessation consult from their health care provider, use a cessation medication and receive follow up Helpline services are up to twice as likely to successfully quit than those who attempt to quit cold turkey.
“The Hospitals Helping Patients Quit program has helped thousands of Oklaho- mans quit tobacco and saved countless years of life and health care dollars,” said Patti Davis, OHA president.
Currently, the program has over 50 hospitals and 250 clinic partners working on cessation in about 30 counties across the state.
A referral is not necessary to receive services from the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline.