Impact of a total smoking ban in a high secure hospital
Cormac, Irene Creasey, Sandra Ferriter, Michael Huckstep, Bernard D'Silva, Karen
Cormac, Irene
Creasey, Sandra
Ferriter, Michael
Huckstep, Bernard
D'Silva, Karen
Abstract
Aims and method: To assess the impact of a total smoking ban in a high secure psychiatric hospital. Staff and patients were surveyed before and after implementation. Data were collected on untoward incidents, seclusions, nicotine replacement therapy and changes in psychotropic medication. Results: Of the 298 patients in the hospital for the evaluation period, 72.8% were smokers before the ban. There were no significant differences in rates of seclusion before and after the ban and only one significant comparison (P = 0.01) showed an increase in untoward incidents for smokers. There were no significant increases in the use of psychotropic medication after the ban. Clinical implications: With adequate preparation, it is possible to implement a total smoking ban in a high secure psychiatric setting without serious negative consequences. Declaration of interest: None.
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Date
2010-10
Type
Article
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Cormac I, Creasey S, Ferriter M, Huckstep B, D'Silva K. Impact of a total smoking ban in a high secure hospital. The Psychiatrist. 2010;34(10):413-7. doi: 10.1192/pb.bp.109.028571.