TO ENCOURAGE HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES FOR PATIENTS, EMPLOYEES AND VISITORS, THE NASSAU HEALTH CARE CORPORATION WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY NATIONAL GREAT AMERICAN SMOKE OUT DAY ON NOVEMBER 20TH, 2008 WITH THE GOAL OF JOINING THE WORLD WIDE MOVEMENT TO REDUCE SMOKING AND HAVE THE NASSAU UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, A. HOLLY PATTERSON EXTENDED CARE FACILITY AND THE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS BECOME SMOKE-FREE BY MAY 31, 2009
November 20, 2008
Contact: Shelley Lotenberg
516-572-6055
shelley@numc.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
TO ENCOURAGE HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES FOR PATIENTS, EMPLOYEES AND VISITORS, THE NASSAU HEALTH CARE CORPORATION WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY NATIONAL GREAT AMERICAN SMOKE OUT DAY ON NOVEMBER 20TH, 2008 WITH THE GOAL OF JOINING THE WORLD WIDE MOVEMENT TO REDUCE SMOKING AND HAVE THE NASSAU UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, A. HOLLY PATTERSON EXTENDED CARE FACILITY AND THE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS BECOME SMOKE-FREE BY MAY 31, 2009
START OF LONG TERM HEALTHY LIFESTYLE INITIATIVES IN COLLABORATION WITH THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY AND THE NORTH SHORE/LIJ CENTER FOR TOBACCO CONTROL, TO PROVIDE SMOKING CESSATION EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO STAFF, PATIENTS AND VISITORS BY NHCC’S CLINICIANS, INCLUDING NICOTINE REPLACEMENT THERAPY AND OTHER CESSATION AIDS TO SMOKERS –
On November 20th, only two areas on entire 50 acre NUMC campus will be designated for smokers, with smoking no longer being permitted as of May 31, 2009
East Meadow, NY…In an effort to encourage healthier lifestyles and create an environment free of smoke for the benefit of everyone who spends time in the campus of the Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, Arthur A. Gianelli, President/CEO of the Nassau Health Care Corporation, announced through a corporate-wide initiative, that the NHCC will participate in the national American Cancer Society Great American Smoke-Out Day on Thursday, November 20, 2008: “It is widely known that smoking and breathing second-hand smoke is unhealthy. As the leader of a healthcare system, our mission is to cure those with illness, prevent disease and promote good health. Today, as simply the right thing to do, we are joining a national movement with a goal to prohibit smoking on the grounds of the NHCC by May 31, 2009 and to encourage employees, patients and visitors to take advantage of our various smoking cessation initiatives.”
According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women, with over 87% of these deaths being smoking-related. Elimination of exposure to second-hand smoke which has been shown to cause various cancers, heart disease and respiratory illness will also lead to a reduction in tobacco-related illnesses that increase health costs for everyone.
“Participating in the American Cancer Society Great American Smoke-Out Day is the start of a long-term healthy lifestyle initiative, that will culminate in achieving a smoke-free campus on May 31, 2009, and in which we will assist our employees, patients and visitors with smoking cessation programs such as nicotine replacement therapy and other cessation aids, as well as information the NY State Smokers Quit Line and the National Quit Line,” said Steven J. Walerstein, MD, Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs and Medical Director for the Nassau Health Care Corporation.
In implementing a smoke-free policy to create a safe and healthful workplace and protect all from the dangerous consequences of second hand tobacco smoke, by May 31, 2009, counseling, encouragement, support and education will be oriented through the Employee Health Division. Education efforts will offer staff and the community information on the benefits of having a smoke-free campus and ensure that they are aware about when such efforts will take effect.
Paul Rowland, COO for the NHCC added: “Staff members in conjunction with the CSEA will be involved in the planning process through participation in the implementation committee. In addition, patients will be offered, immediately upon admittance, the patch and supplemental gum, inhalers and lozenges as management techniques. Visitors will be provided with cards to remind them that NUMC will become a smoke-free campus by May 31, 2009 and that, by that date, they must leave the campus to smoke since smoking anywhere on the grounds of the hospital is inconsistent with the hospital’s dedication to health.”
Mr. Gianelli emphasized: “We intend to continuously remind those staff members who smoke that there are programs that could help them stop smoking. Our status, as a healthcare provider, supports our aim to encourage patients, employees and visitors that health and wellness are a high priority across the hospital. Support will be provided to all who desire to stop smoking or to refrain from smoking on our grounds during working hours through education, pharmacological aids and smoking cessation programs accessible through the New York State Smokers Quit Line, the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society.”