RGH goes non-smoking

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link Alisa Boswell: Staff photo

Susan Womack, left, billing specialist for the Roosevelt General Hospital Clinic, chats Wednesday with Director of Marketing Greg McFarland in the RGH Cafe. Womack said fewer people spend time in the outdoor area now that RGH is a non-smoking facility, but none of the staff members that smoke seem to mind.

Roosevelt General Hospital staff members who smoke are saying not much has changed for them since the hospital enacted a non-smoking policy at the start of the new year.

The hospital sent out a press release last week announcing the change, stating that the change was “a continued effort to provide the highest standard of health care.”

The policy states use of tobacco products will not be allowed on any RGH properties, indoors and outdoors.

“We are dedicated to excellent patient care,” said RGH Chief Executive Officer Larry Leaming. “Eliminating tobacco from the property allows us to provide a healthier environment for all patients, visitors and employees of RGH.”

Smokers working at RGH seem to agree with the hospital’s decision to enact the policy, saying not all that much has changed for them.

“We're not asking our staff to stop smoking all together. Instead, we are asking that they refrain from smoking while on the premises,” said Chief Operating Officer Anne Carey. “The staff here has risen to the challenge.”

The hospital is providing staff members with the opportunity to purchase nicotine patches in the RGH pharmacy for at-cost prices. If worse comes to worst, employees can clock out for a 15 minute break and drive off-site to smoke.

Susan Womack, billing specialist for the RGH Clinic, said the change has not affected her much, because she has always made it a point to not smoke around non-smokers, so she does not smoke often at work anyway.

“It’s my decision to smoke, so I don’t want to force it on anyone else,” she said. “If you’re going to have a non-smoking policy, what better place than a hospital or doctor’s office.”

Exie Williams, administrative assistant for the nursing department, said the hospital needs to be setting an example of good health.

“We are taking care of the sick and trying to promote a healthier lifestyle, but we are letting them go outside and smoke,” Williams said. “It’s only for the good of our community.”

Williams said she smoked regularly a few years ago, but now she is only a social and stress smoker, so removing the temptation is bound to only help RGH smokers.

“I remember when I smoked more regularly and I would walk through the smoke or walk by people smoking, it would make me want to smoke,” Williams said. “The temptation’s not there if you can’t smell it or see it.”

Williams said she feels like she needs to set an example for healthier living as well as the hospital setting one.

“From the first day that we started it, I really saw everyone just respecting that as a new policy,” she said. “It’s an adjustment and change isn’t always easy, but I think that everyone is adjusting really well.”

Hospital officials said if anyone has questions about the new policy, they can call 575-359-1800.