Improving Screening and Treatment Of Tobacco Smoke Dependence And Exposure In The Hospitalized Pediatric Patient

Background: 15.6% of adults in Arizona report smoking and approximately 40% of children show evidence of tobacco smoke exposure (TSE). Pediatric TSE causes a wide variety of disease and is associated with increased emergency room and hospital utilization. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that pediatricians ask families about smoking, discuss the risks of TSE, and assist with cessation. Interventions aimed at increasing TSE screening and QUITline referral in inpatient and outpatient practices have demonstrated improvements in quit rates and sustained cessation. Objective: The purpose of this project is to evaluate the process of screening for TSE during …