OA urges patients to stop smoking before surgery to protect their own health

ONTARIO MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONJan 21 2010

During National Non-Smoking Week, Ontario's Anesthesiologists (OA) are once again urging patients to stop smoking before surgery in order to protect their own health. In addition, Ontario's Anesthesiologists estimate that if every smoker scheduled for surgery stopped 6-8 weeks prior to their procedure, approximately $122 million could be saved by the health care system.

"We know that patients who stop smoking before surgery not only reduce their risk of complications, but also speed up their recovery time," said Dr. Steven Bodley, Chair of Ontario's Anesthesiologists at the Ontario Medical Association. "Patients that recover more quickly spend less time in hospital and can free up space, saving much needed health care dollars that can be reinvested back into patient care."

OA pointed to the findings of a study published in The Lancet which revealed that the median length of stay for patients dropped if they stopped smoking before surgery. For patients who quit smoking in the 6-8 weeks before surgery, their stay was 11 days, compared to 13 days for those who had simply reduced the amount they smoked by at least 50 percent.

It is estimated that each inpatient at an acute care hospital in Ontario costs $915 per day. That means for every patient that stops smoking 6-8 weeks prior to surgery and spends two less days recovering in hospital there is a potential savings of about $1,830. See backgrounder for further breakdown.

Other benefits to patients who stop smoking before surgery include:

- 48% of smokers experienced breathing problems after surgery, compared to 17% of smokers who had quit more than 8 weeks before surgery. (Warner et al. Anesthesiology 1984; 60:380-383); - Overall complication rates for smokers vs. quitters drop from 52% to 18% (Moller et al. The Lancet 2002 Jan :114-117); and - Wound infection rates for smokers vs. non-smokers drop from 12% to 2% (Sorensen et al. Annals of Surgery 2003 July:1-5).

In order to get this important information into the hands of patients, OA will be distributing pamphlets and posters to several hospitals including, North Bay General, Mt. Sinai, Sault Area Hospitals, The Scarborough Hospital, and North York General. In addition, OA is calling on all allied health professionals involved in the surgical process to help ensure that patients who smoke are given the resources and knowledge needed to safely prepare for surgery.

"We want patients who smoke to know the proactive steps they can take to improve their surgical experience," said Dr. Bodley. "Having all members of the surgical team involved in this process will help show patients that we're all here to help ensure their success, which might even give them the push they need to quit for good."