The Breathe Easy Smoke Free Project is a clinical initiative intended to improve the health and wellbeing of Forensicare staff and patients in line with the Victorian Health Priorities 2012-2022. All Forensicare sites, including the 116 bed maximum security Thomas Embling Hospital, will become smoke free as of 1st July 2015.
The Breathe Easy Smoke Free project was established to implement the smoke free policy at Forensicare and to develop and deliver smoking cessation support programs for staff and patients.
To date, few published studies have examined the implementation and impact of smoke free initiatives in forensic inpatient settings. None of the existing studies are based in Australia.
The Breathe Easy project is a major health intervention within a complex clinical environment. The implementation and outcome of the intervention require formal evaluation. This study will help to establish the impact of the initiative across a range of outcomes.
Compliance with the policy and uptake of programs/education opportunities, and Nicotine Replacement Therapy.
The impact of the smoke-free policy and associated support measures on attitudes towards smoking, nicotine dependence/withdrawal, and psychological symptoms related to withdrawal.
The impact of the smoke-free policy on aggressive/violent incidents, arson related fires, drug related incidents, incidents of suicide and self-harm, use of seclusion and PRN medication use.
The impact of the policy on patient attendance at education and gym programs.
Pre and post-implementation surveys of staff and patients assessing opinions regarding the implementation of the policy ban, cessation supports, attitudes towards smoking, nicotine dependence/withdrawal, and psychological symptoms related to withdrawal.
Collection of institutional data on pre and post implementation incidents/infractions, PRN medication use, uptake of smoking cessation supports, measured of cardio-respiratory and metabolic function, education program and gym attendance, staff absence rates and staff turnover.