Quitting smoking is the best treatment for patients to improve their general and cardiovascular health and prevent future health problems. At the Montreal Health Institute (MHI), treating smoking and nicotine dependency is a priority. The MHI therefore offers smoking cessation assistance for hospitalized patients or anyone followed at an out-patient clinic or the ÉPIC Centre.
At the MHI, brief intervention for smoking cessation is integrated into the care process for all hospitalized patients who smoke. A Nurse Consultant in Tobacco Prevention meets individually with each patient who is identified as a smoker. Whether patients are ready to quit smoking or not, the nurse evaluates their specific situation to make sure they get the best treatment.
For patients who are not ready to quit smoking, the nurse will not pass judgment and will simply recommend that the patient quit smoking and think about the benefits of doing so. For patients who are ready to quit smoking, the nurse will evaluate their smoking habits, determine the best treatment, and refer them to quit-smoking support services after discharge. During their hospital stay, all patients who smoke risk experiencing withdrawal symptoms. To alleviate any discomfort, the nurse will recommend a medication to treat nicotine withdrawal.