FULTON, NY – Quitting smoking is the single most important thing a person who smokes can do for his or her health.
More than 400,000 Americans die annually due to tobacco use and physicians face huge obstacles with patient care when patients continue to smoke.
The New York State Department of Health gave Tobacco Cessation Centers across the state an opportunity to partner with federally qualified health clinics in their catchments area (three maximum per Cessation Center) to help clinicians address smoking cessation in their patient population.
The Tobacco Cessation Center at St. Joseph’s Hospital, one of the 19 New York State Department of Health grant funded Tobacco Cessation Centers, serves Cayuga, Onondaga, and Oswego counties.
In an effort to benefit Oswego County Opportunities’ Fulton and Oswego health centers, as well as the community, OCO has partnered with the Cessation Center at St. Joseph’s Hospital to assist those who are serious about quitting smoking.
As a result of this partnership OCO has received a large shipment of nicotine patches and gum for use with its patient population.
Clinicians at OCO’s Fulton and Oswego health centers received comprehensive training from representatives of St. Joseph’s Hospital’s Cessation Center to be sure that they we comfortable with clinical practice guidelines for helping patients quit tobacco use.
OCO’s partnership with St. Joseph’s Hospital’s Cessation Center will allow the agency to continue to access ongoing technical support patient education materials, and NYS Smokers’ Quitline “Quitcards.â€
“The substantial shipment of nicotine patches and gum we have received from St. Joseph’s Cessation Center has been invaluable to our patients. These supplies have assisted patients within our practice who may want to quit but do not have the monies needed to purchase the products that have been proven to help them get through their initial nicotine withdrawal. We are thankful to the New York State Department of Health and the Tobacco Cessation Center at St. Joseph’s Hospital for this opportunity and our continued partnership in addressing such an important health concern in New York State,†said Ellen Holst Sr., director of health and butrition services.
For more information, contact OCO’s Health Department at 598-4715.
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