The addition of tick-boxes related to tobacco cessation improves smoking-related documentation in the anaesthesia chart

In this study we evaluated the effect of adding ti ck-boxes for ‘quit advice given’ and ‘referral to GP/Quitline’ to anaesthesia charts of elective surgical patients to assess whether this intervention changed documentation of compliance with the ANZCA guideline. The anaesthesia charts of all smokers were reviewed for evidence of asking, adv ising and referring, over two three-month periods (n=999) separated by the intervention of placing a sticker to modify the preoperative charts of all elective patients which added tick-box prompts of advice and referral. No educational campaigns occurred to encourage tick-box use. No changes were m ade to non-elective charts. Evidence of advice to quit was 1.8% prior to, rising to 18.7% after, the intervention (P
Source: Anaesthesia and Intensive Care - Category: Anesthesiology Source Type: research