System Changes to Implement the Joint Commission Tobacco Treatment (TOB) Performance Measures for Improving the Treatment of Tobacco Use Among Hospitalized Patients

Hospitalization presents an important opportunity to engage smokers in treatment for primary and secondary prevention of tobacco-related illnesses. EHRs can be leveraged to facilitate integration of TOB measure requirements into routine inpatient care; however, the smaller effect on prescribing patterns suggests limitations in this approach alone in changing clinician behavior to meet this measure. The success of the nurse-focused EHR-driven intervention suggests an effective tool for integrating the cessation counseling component of the new measures and the importance of nursing's role in achieving the Joint Commission measure targets.