MEDIA RELEASE
HAWKESBURY – Hawkesbury & District General Hospital (HGH) is celebrating today ten years of partnership with the Ottawa Heart Institute’s Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation (OMSC). Since implementation of the OMSC at HGH, nearly 2300 smokers have been reached through personalized, best practice tobacco dependence treatment, resulting in increased quit attempts and long-term cessation. An estimated 700 smokers are smoke-free as a result of the support they received while at the hospital.
In 2002, smoking cessation experts at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute developed the Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation–an institutional program that systematically identifies, provides treatment, and offers follow-up to patients who smoke as part of routine care. In 2006, UOHI began to assist other inpatient, outpatient and primary care settings to implement the OMSC. Implementation of the OMSC led to an absolute 11% increase in long-term quit rates among hospitalized patients (from 18% to 29% at 6 months). In eastern Ontario, nearly 100,000 smokers have been assisted through Ottawa Model programs, leading to approximately 25,000 people becoming smoke-free.
“Implementing the Ottawa Model at HGH has tremendously benefited the patients in our region”, says Dr. Julie Maranda, Chief of Staff. “For the past ten years, we have had the necessary tools, system and team approach to effectively support smokers while they are admitted to the hospital. Our clinical staff and physicians have helped many patients dealing with the effects of nicotine withdrawal. Through our smoking cessation program, HGH has contributed to a decrease in the number of smokers in our community. We are pleased to mark the 10 year anniversary and celebrate our accomplishments.”
“The success behind the Ottawa Model for Smoking cessation is truly found in the determined teams across Canada, like here in Hawkesbury, that are providing personalized support to smokers who are trying to quit,” said Dr. Andrew Pipe, co-developer of the OMSC and Chief of the Division of Prevention and Rehabilitation at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. “As all hospital grounds in Ontario will be required to be smoke-free by January 2018, helping patients deal with nicotine withdrawal when they are admitted and stay smoke-free when they leave will remain an important priority for hospitals in our region. HGH demonstrated its leadership and commitment to promoting health in the region by implementing a smoke-free property policy on July 18, 2016.”
About the Hawkesbury & District General Hospital
The Hawkesbury & District General Hospital (HGH) is growing and bringing more healthcare services to better serve the Prescott-Russell community in Eastern Ontario. At the end of 2018, our major redevelopment project of $160 million will provide a new state-of-the-art facility with the latest in equipment and infrastructure. The stellar design will improve patient flow enhancing the patient and family experience. With a team of more than 100 physicians and 600 employees, HGH is proud to bring quality care, closer to home.
About the University of Ottawa Heart Institute
The University of Ottawa Heart Institute is Canada’s largest and foremost heart health centre dedicated to understanding, treating and preventing heart disease. UOHI delivers high-tech care with a personal touch, shapes the way cardiovascular medicine is practiced and revolutionizes cardiac treatment and understanding. It builds knowledge through research and translates discoveries into advanced care. UOHI serves the local, national and international community, and is pioneering a new era in heart health.
From left to right: Priscilla Belanger, Outreach Facilitator, University of Ottawa Heart Institute; Marc LeBoutillier, HGH-CEO; Natalie Therrien-Miller, HGH Director Diagnostic Imaging; Kerri-Anne Mullen, Program Manager, University of Ottawa Heart Institute; Dr. Julie Maranda, HGH Chief of Staff; Alana Fraser, HGH Nurse Consultant; Carole Sauvé, patient; Dr. Claude Maranda, HGH Cardiologist
Contact
Gisèle Larocque
Director, Community Relations and Corporate Projects
Hawkesbury & District General Hospital
Telephone: 613-632-1111, extension 21200
Email: ghlarocque@hgh.ca