Awards and Recognition
Gold Star Status and Smoking Cessation Referral Award
Morehead City, NC – Carteret General Hospital in Morehead City was recognized by NC Prevention Partners (NCPP) as earning Gold Star Standard status for excellence in quit tobacco programs for employees and for winning the December Mini Fax Referral Challenge to the NC Quitline (1-800-784-8669).
Carteret General Hospital referred the most patients and employees to the NC Quitline of any medium-sized hospital in the state. The Hospital consistently sends in more referrals to the NC Quitline than any other medium-sized hospital. In recognition for their hard work, NC Prevention Partners staff delivered a gourmet fruit basket to Carteret General Hospital on March 19, 2010.
“We are amazed that month after month, Carteret General is a consistently high performer in connecting their employees and patients to the no-cost services of the NC Quitline. They are to be commended,” said Melva Fager Okun, Senior Program Manager with NCPP.
Carteret General Hospital was also recently recognized by NC Prevention Partners for providing the highest standard of excellence for tobacco cessation programs offered to their employees. Hospitals receiving this acknowledgment are considered Gold Star Standard Hospitals. In order to receive the Gold Star, NC hospitals must earn an “A” on the WorkHealthy America Assessment tobacco module indicating all five key components for employee quit-tobacco programs were met.
NCPP is working with NC hospital corporate leaders and staff to enhance tobacco cessation efforts and resources available to all hospital employees and patients. Fred Odell, Carteret General CEO previously signed an Executive Commitment Form to establish a corporate culture of wellness and established an action plan for continuous improvement. Carteret General Hospital refers their employees to effective quit programs (counseling), provides comprehensive benefits (nicotine replacement therapy and prescription medications) and offers incentives to encourage employees to quit tobacco use.
“We are so pleased that NC Prevention Partners has recognized our efforts to help our employees and community stop smoking and using tobacco,” says Beth Beswick, Vice President of Human Resources/PR. “This is one example of how we are meeting our mission of providing quality healthcare with exceptional compassion and respect.”
NC Prevention Partners is the organization behind a campaign for better health in North Carolina. They have identified 3 areas of improvement for our state: Tobacco use, Nutrition and fitness. Trained professionals in tobacco cessation from NC Prevention Partners are prepared to help North Carolinians quit smoking free of charge. They are available 24/7 at no cost and provide quit tobacco coaching, support and materials. They will mail a free "Quit Kit" to each person desiring to break this habit and provide support calls throughout this challenging time. The NC Quit line can be reached at 1-800-Quit Now. NC Prevention Partners’ work in NC hospitals is funded by The Duke Endowment and is in partnership with the NC Hospital Association.
The Allwell staff at Carteret General Hospital continues to educate patients using the NC Quit line referral and CGH smoking cessation program to help our community become a healthier place. If you have been an in-patient at Carteret General in the last 30 days and wish to quit smoking, contact Allwell at 252-808-6611.
About Carteret General Hospital:
Carteret General Hospital is a 135-bed hospital serving Eastern North Carolina. The Hospital offers a full range of acute care, diagnostic and outpatient services at a level that you would only expect at a larger facility. For additional information about Carteret General Hospital, call 252.808.6000 or visit our website at www.ccgh.org.
About NC Prevention Partners:
NC Prevention Partners is a leader in reducing preventable illness and early death in North Carolina caused by tobacco use, poor nutrition, physical inactivity and obesity. We helped North Carolina’s acute care hospitals go 100% tobacco free campus wide. We help employers create healthier workplaces, reduce costs and increase use of preventive health insurance benefits. Our mission as a non-profit is “Prevention first for a healthier North Carolina.” www.ncpreventionpartners.org