[Smoking-cessation-counselling as a smoking cessation interventional tool for hospitalized patients--results of a pilot study].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

In perspective of a high prevalence of smokers in our population, we find a high proportion of smoking-related morbidity and mortality. Hospitalisation is basically a favourable situation to start smoking cessation. Aim of the study was to show the effectivity of smoking-cessation-counselling as a smoking cessation interventional tool for hospitalized patients.

METHODS

We evaluated 25 consecutive patients, who had accepted an offer for smoking cessation counselling, while being hospitalized in a center of pulmonology. Data concerning smoking habits and morbidity had been collected in the course of a qualified smoking-cessation-counselling. Patients with a FNDT > or = 3 had been offered pharmacological support. The smoking behaviour had been re-collected 6 month after discharge via telephoninterview. Partly there was the opportunity to validate the information via measurement of carboxyhemoglobin.

RESULTS

Following the smoking-cessation-counselling 20 out of 25 patients (80 %) had quit smoking. After 6 month 11 patients still had been abstinent, in accordance with a long-term-success-rate of 44 %. Patients who accepted a pharmacological support had a 55 % higher long-term-abstinence-rate.

CONCLUSION

Qualified smoking-cessation-counselling concomitantly to hospital treatment is feasible and effective. The results encourage distributing and administering this interventional tool in our health system.