Inpatient Tobacco Cessation
Tobacco use is the leading cause of premature disease and death in the United States and is a primary driver of hospitalizations for cancers, stroke, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and pregnancy and newborn complications. Tobacco use also interferes with recovery and contributes to delayed bone and wound healing, infection, and other post-operative complications.
It is hard to quit using tobacco. CHI St. Alexius Health is a tobacco-free campus, making hospitalization an ideal time for tobacco users to quit. In this environment, tobacco users may be more motivated to quit than at any other time as their hospitalization may have been caused or worsened by tobacco use.
In addition, if a hospitalized tobacco user is offered and uses cessation medication to manage withdrawal symptoms and has a positive experience, he or she may be more likely to continue using that medication to permanently quit after discharge.
When doing something hard, you need someone who is willing to work with you.
A Tobacco Treatment Specialists can help:
- Answer questions and/or concerns about quitting
- Explain treatment options
- Put together a Quit Plan
- Set a Quit Date
Quit Smoking Resources
- Quit Smoking for Good (video)
- Talking with a Tobacco Treatment Specialist (video)
- Support for Hospital Patients Who Smoke
- Baby and Me Class and Brochure
Quitting tobacco is the most important thing you can do to protect your health. To contact a Tobacco Treatment Specialist call (701) 530-8561.
Childhood Asthma
Asthma is a lung disease that makes breathing difficult for millions of Americans, both young and old. There is no cure for asthma, but it can be managed and treated so you can live a normal, healthy life.
In 2011, eight percent of the children (under 18 years of age) in North Dakota had asthma (approximately 12,000 children). Asthma is the third leading cause of hospitalization for children in the United States.
The Regional Children’s Asthma Clinic is offered to children ages birth to 21 years who have suspected or previously diagnosed asthma. The clinic has physicians, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, and nurses that work together to help children and their families gain control over their asthma.
To schedule an asthma clinic appointment, call (701) 530-8520.
Asthma Education Resources
- Asthma Clinic education book
- Asthma Clinic DVD (video)
- Regional Children’s Asthma Clinic brochure
- Asthma DVD from Mayo Clinic (video)
- Link for Asthma Control Test: 4-11 years old and >12 years old
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a combination of diseases that make breathing difficult. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two main diseases that together make up COPD. COPD is often associated with a history of cigarette smoking and most often occurs after the age of 40.
In 2011, 4.4% of the North Dakota population had COPD (approximately 23,000 people). It is the third leading cause of death in the United States.
If you have COPD and are in the hospital, the Respiratory Therapy (RT) Care Managers will work with you and your physician to help gain control over your COPD. Knowing more about COPD and its treatment can help you feel more in control.
When you are ready to leave the hospital, the RT Care Managers can assist with your transition of care. For some patients this means having a better understanding of the respiratory medications and treatments that they will have at home; for other patients this may be help with arranging for testing of the oxygen level in your blood and arrangements for supplemental oxygen.
For more information on COPD click here.