61. For the Patient Willing To Quit
Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update
Strategy A1. Ask—Systematically identify all tobacco users at every visit
Action | Strategies for implementation |
---|---|
Implement an office wide system that ensures that, for EVERY patient at EVERY clinic visit, tobacco-use status is queried and documented.a | Expand the vital signs to include tobacco use or use an alternative universal identification system.b VITAL SIGNS Blood Pressure: _______________________ Pulse: ________ Weight: ___________ Temperature: _________________________ Respiratory Rate: ______________________ Tobacco Use: Current Former Never (circle one) |
a. Repeated assessment is not necessary in the case of the adult who has never used tobacco or has not used tobacco for many years and for whom this information is clearly documented in the medical record.
b. Alternatives to expanding the vital signs are tobacco-use status stickers on all patient charts or to indicate tobacco use status using electronic medical records or computer reminder systems.