OHA congratulates hospital partners in reducing tobacco use 

Posted on: 3/15/17


Recently, the American Lung Association released its 15th annual “State of Tobacco Control” report, which evaluates states on necessary measures to prevent tobacco use and its related diseases and mortality. Overall, Oklahoma did not fare well for many of the factors on the report card. Considering the fact that more than 7,000 Oklahomans die each year from a tobacco related illness, and tobacco use costs us $1.62 billion in direct health care costs each year, it is easy to see that the fight to stop the devastating effects of tobacco in Oklahoma is ongoing.

One area of tobacco prevention/control in which our state shines is access to cessation services. This is largely due to the efforts of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), 1-800-QUIT-NOW, known as the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline (OTH), and all of the OHA member hospitals and clinics partnering with OHA’s Hospitals Helping Patients Quit (HHPQ) program, since it began in 2009, to ensure patients receive lifesaving tobacco cessation services.     

Through effective, best practice, health care provider driven treatment services including proactive fax and electronic referrals to the OTH, it is estimated that our partner hospitals and clinics have saved more than 15,000 years of life and millions of dollars in reduced health care costs as well as personal spending on tobacco products. Reducing tobacco use is essential to improve health, reduce health care costs and improve the quality of life for those addicted to nicotine, their families and communities.

The HHPQ initiative would like to thank all of the hospital and clinic partners who have collaborated with us on this successful health improvement initiative over the past eight years and highlight those who have achieved notable benchmarks in reducing tobacco use by their patients, family members and employees. These visionary hospitals have implemented a permanent and standard best-practice protocol for identifying, counseling and referring individuals to the OTH for coaching support and nicotine replacement therapy. This treatment model is recognized nationally as the most effective method of quitting tobacco, addressing both physical nicotine addiction and behaviors associated with this addiction that reinforces it. These leaders have made a critical commitment to their patients, employees and communities to reduce an addiction that contributes to five of the top seven causes of death.

OHA celebrates these leaders for providing support and referring community members to the OTH!

Hospitals or clinics with a total of 2,000 or more referrals to the OTH:
  • INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center, Oklahoma City
  • INTEGRIS affiliated clinics, metro Oklahoma City
  • Chickasaw Nation Medical Center and affiliated clinics
  • St. John Medical Center, Tulsa
Hospitals or clinics with a total of 1,000 - 1,999 referrals to the OTH:
  • Mercy affiliated clinics, statewide
  • INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center, Oklahoma City  
  • INTEGRIS Canadian Valley Hospital, Yukon
Hospitals and clinics with a total of 500 - 999 referrals to the OTH:
  • AllianceHealth Midwest City
  • Duncan Regional Hospital
  • AllianceHealth Durant
  • AllianceHealth Deaconess
  • INTEGRIS Grove Hospital
  • INTEGRIS Bass Hospital, Enid  
Hospitals or clinics with a total of at least 100 - 499 referrals to the OTH:
  • AllianceHealth Clinton
  • AllianceHealth Ponca City
  • AllianceHealth Seminole
  • AllianceHealth Woodward  
  • INTEGRIS Miami Hospital
  • INTEGRIS Health Edmond
  • Mercy Hospital Ardmore
  • Mercy Hospital, Oklahoma City
  • Mercy Hospital Employee Wellness
  • Mercy Hospital Ada
  • Okeene Municipal Hospital
  • Purcell Municipal Hospital
  • Sequoyah Memorial Hospital, Sallisaw
  • Southwestern Medical Center, Lawton
  • St. Anthony Behavioral Health, Oklahoma City
  • St. John Owasso
  • Stillwater Medical Center
  • Wagoner Community Hospital
If your hospital would like more information or is interested in becoming a Hospitals Helping Patients Quit partner, please contact Eric Finley or Jennifer Roysdon, tobacco treatment system coordinators, at OHA, (405) 427-9537.

This initiative is funded by the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust with support from the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

For more information, click here.

Save the dates for OHA 2022 events

Posted on: 2/18/22


It’s a new year and a new lineup of important events for you and your staff. Don’t miss out on these opportunities to engage in advocacy, education and networking all year long. Mark your calendar now!

OHA Advocacy Day - Tuesday, April 5, Oklahoma History Center. Join us for our annual legislative day. We will begin with a member briefing at 3 p.m., followed by a legislative reception at 5 p.m. Watch for registration materials soon.

OHA-PAC Golf Tournament - Tuesday, June 21, Jimmie Austin Golf Club at OU, Norman. Time and details TBA.

OHA Health Care Leaders Forum - Tuesday, July 19 - Thursday, July 21, Shangri-La Resort, Grand Lake. Watch for registration soon!

OHA Connect 22 - Wednesday, Nov. 9 - Friday, Nov. 11, Oklahoma City Convention Center and Omni Hotel, downtown Oklahoma City. Plan now to attend OHA’s annual conference and exhibit hall. More details to come.

Details on these events and other upcoming education opportunities will be available on the OHA website.