Impact of a Pilot, Pharmacy-Led Tobacco Cessation Medication Protocol at Discharge in a Community Hospital

Purpose: To evaluate the implementation of a pharmacy-led tobacco cessation medication education protocol at discharge in a community hospital. Design: Single center, retrospective quality assessment study. Methods: A retrospective review of a pharmacy-led protocol was completed from November 2016 through April 2017. Data from one year prior to implementation of the protocol was analyzed against the study group. Results: A total of 607 tobacco cessation medication education interventions were made during the study period, 379 patients (62.4%) were given an OTC (Over The Counter) NRT (Nicotine Replacement Therapy) recommendation upon discharge and 148 (24.4%) were referred to the Ohio Tobacco Quit Line. TJC (The Joint Commission) TOB-3/3a measure was met in 44.1% of patients during the study period compared to 0% in the comparator group. Of the 75 patients who were reached via follow-up phone call, 23 (30.7%) purchased an OTC NRT and 22 (29.3%) completely quit using tobacco. Conclusions: Pharmacy-led tobacco cessation interventions during hospitalizations have a positive impact on TJC TOB-3/3a quality measure results and quit rates post-discharge. Our results encourage future studies in this area to further establish the importance of pharmacist involvement in tobacco cessation, specifically in the hospital setting.