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November 4, 2009
by Marketing
Events
PASCO REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER RECEIVES TOBACCO FREE ENVIRONMENT DESIGNATON FROM FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
DADE CITY, FLA.,
(Nov. 3, 2009) – Dr. David R. Johnson, Director of the Pasco County Health
Department, today presented a plaque to Pasco Regional Medical Center (PRMC) in
recognition of their commitment to becoming a tobacco free campus.
In February 2009, PRMC announced a
partnership with the Florida Department of Health and all Pasco County
hospitals to become tobacco free for better health this year. The commitment was made because smoking is a
major contributing factor in the top four causes of death, heart disease,
cancer, stroke, and respiratory disease.
At PRMC, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) accounts for the
highest number of inpatient hospital admissions. COPD is a progressive disease that makes
breathing difficult and is caused by smoking.
“Tobacco free means that patients, physicians,
vendors, guests and employees of Pasco Regional Medical Center will not be
permitted to smoke or use tobacco anywhere within the property – that includes
all outdoor portions of the campus, even parking lots,” said Doug Collins,
Director of Respiratory Services and the Tobacco-Free Environment Task Force
Chair. “We aren’t telling smokers they
must quit smoking, just that they won’t be able to smoke while visiting our
campus,” Collins explained.
Transitioning the hospital to a
tobacco-free environment was a detailed process. Educating the public and employees of the
change was a key element to success. To
ensure the smooth transition to a tobacco-free campus, PRMC developed a
multi-faceted tobacco-free plan spread over a one-year period. The plan included the creation of a task
force whose members were responsible for implementing the steps to a smooth
transition. Plans included education
programs for staff, support groups for smoking cessation, classes for staff and
the public, smoking cessation literature and signage to inform the public when
entering the property.
“During the planning phases, we saw
many of our employees who smoke embrace this plan. Several employees used the November 1
deadline as the perfect opportunity to kick the habit,” Collins said. “While we weren’t expecting employees to quit
smoking, we are happy for everyone who made this choice for better health.”
Pasco Regional
Medical Center
is an award winning 120-bed acute care facility located off State Road 52,
eight miles from Interstate 75 and one mile from U.S. Highway 301 in Dade City, Florida. The hospital was established in 1973 and is
set on 22 acres encompassing 84,000 square feet on two levels. Pasco
Regional Medical
Center is accredited by
the Joint Commission and was named by Thomson Reuters® as one of the
Nations 100 Top Hospitals in 1997 and 2003.
In addition, the hospital is ranked among the Top Five Percent of
Hospitals in the Nation for General Surgery and has received a Five Star Rating
for General Surgery for five consecutive years (2006 - 2010). Pasco
Regional Medical
Center was named one of the Best
Places to Work in Pasco and Hernando Counties
in 2008.
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