Going into Hospital

ARE YOU COMING INTO HOSPITAL FOR AN OPERATION?

Smokers are more likely to experience complications after surgery and have slower wound healing. This can result in the need for further surgery, a longer stay in hospital and increased costs to the health service.

To have the greatest chance of reducing these risks, it is recommended that patients stop smoking as soon as possible prior to surgery. Some of the benefits to stopping smoking or temporary abstinence include:

• Decreased risk in post – surgical, cardiac and respiratory complications
• Less likely to need to be admitted to intensive care
• Quicker wound/fracture healing
• Quicker recovery and shorter hospital stay

Smokefree

Patients who are admitted to an NHS Isle of Wight hospital enter a Smokefree environment. Smokefree hospital and grounds communicate a strong message about the established dangers of smoking and second hand smoke.

What does Smokefree mean for patients and visitors?

• Patients and visitors are not permitted to smoke anywhere on hospital grounds.
• Patients may leave the hospital to smoke, provided they receive permission from ward staff to leave the ward and provided they smoke outside the hospital grounds.
• Nursing staff cannot monitor patients who leave the hospital premises to smoke. Therefore this is potentially a risk to the patient’s safety and may affect their outcomes which could lead to a delay in discharge from hospital which is not only costly for the hospital but more importantly extremely distressing for the patient and their family.

Smoking is a powerful addiction, The NHS Isle of Wight Stop Smoking team understand that complying with Smokefree may be challenging and are here to support you to stop smoking prior to your admission date and whilst you are in hospital. Whilst our aim is to support you to stop smoking permanently, if you feel it is not the right time for you to stop smoking the team can offer advice regarding temporary abstinence during your hospital stay and recovery period.

If you are due to have surgery and would like to stop smoking or would like advice on how to manage your addiction whilst you are in hospital please contact Chamber Health on 01983 554546 or your GP practice.