FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2011
Carteret General Hospital recognized as the first NC hospital to earn the Red Heart from NC Prevention Partners
On September 12, 2011, Carteret General Hospital (CGH) was designated as the first Red Heart hospital by NC Prevention Partners. Carteret General Hospital was recognized for providing the highest standard of excellence for tobacco cessation programs offered to their patients. Hospitals receiving this acknowledgment are considered Red Heart Standard Hospitals. NC Prevention Partners is working with NC hospital corporate leaders and staff to enhance tobacco cessation efforts and resources available to all hospital employees and patients. In order to receive this recognition, Carteret General Hospital, identifies tobacco using patients as a part of required vital signs, provides a team approach to cessation counseling, provides and promotes evidence-based treatment, and evaluates the quit-tobacco system.
These are among several components recommended by NC Prevention Partners for comprehensive quit-tobacco systems for patients. “We commend Carteret General Hospital for their hard work in becoming the first North Carolina hospital to adopt a quit-tobacco system for patients and now earning the Red Heart. They are doing a great job in supporting their patients in quitting the use of tobacco,” commented Melva Fager Okun, Senior Manager with NC Prevention Partners. “I applaud their great effort.”
According to RN Val Russell, "As soon as Carteret General Hospital’s campus became tobacco-free in 2007, we were on a mission to educate employees and patients about tobacco cessation. We spread the word on ways to save money, improve health and to minimize recurring hospital visits. We followed the guidance of the NC Prevention Partners to implement our successful program. The NCPP provided the perfect tools to save many lives through tobacco cessation. Every success is a reflection of the dedication and hard work of their staff."
The details of CGH's Red Heart award winning tobacco cessation program for patients include CGH accessing tobacco use as a vital sign asked upon admission to the hospital and in the emergency room. Upon asking the question "Have you used tobacco in the last 12 months?" a referral for a consult is sent to the AllWell nurse who provides tobacco cessation counseling while the patient is in the hospital. Yet the entire healthcare team talks to tobacco-using patients about quitting. Patients receive a combination of counseling, nicotine replacement therapy, and FDA-approved prescription medications while in the hospital and referrals are made upon discharge. Follow-up takes place through the case management nurse or through QuitlineNC. CGH is also a regular award winning hospital in terms of NC Prevention Partners' Quitline Champion Challenge for medium-sized hospitals.
NC Prevention Partners’ work in NC hospitals is funded by The Duke Endowment and is in partnership with the NC Hospital Association.
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
About Carteret General Hospital:
Carteret General Hospital, a not-for-profit 135-bed hospital, is located on the Crystal Coast of Morehead City, North Carolina. Since opening in 1967, Carteret General Hospital has grown from a small organization to a full-service hospital and is fully accredited by The Joint Commission. Carteret General Hospital offers a full range of acute care, diagnostic and outpatient services including a comprehensive Cancer Center, Telestroke Program, CGH Imaging Center, Hospice of Carteret County, Carteret Home Health, Cardiac Rehabilitation and a Birthing Center. www.carteretgeneral.com
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Media Contact:
Michelle Lee
Carteret General Hospital
252.808.6336, mlee@ccgh.org