Providence Everett goes Tobacco Free on June 18, 2007

In honor of the opening of the new Providence Regional Cancer Partnership, Providence Everett Medical Center goes tobacco free June 18, 2007. This new policy applies to all patients, visitors, medical staff, employees and vendors who visit or work at Providence campuses.

Providence Everett is a progressive leader in health care and recognizes that tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death and disease. As a major healthcare provider, Providence is committed to encourage and promote healthy lifestyles throughout the communities it serves.

The new tobacco-free policy will prohibit the use of any tobacco products on Providence Everett’s Colby, Pacific, Broadway and Mill Creek campuses. No tobacco use will be allowed outside on campus property or in Providence parking garages.

Providence Everett Medical Center campuses have been tobacco-free facilities for years. This change expands the tobacco policy to eliminate designated, outdoor smoking areas for patients, visitors, employees, vendors and anyone on Providence Everett property.

Important Information for Patients Regarding this New Policy

Providence Everett’s former tobacco use policy allowed patients to go outside to smoke if they received written orders from their physician. This will no longer be allowed. No physician will write orders to allow patients to leave the building to use tobacco products during their hospital stay. If a patient experiences discomfort due to nicotine cravings, the hospital staff will work with the patient to relieve the discomfort by prescribing or making smoking cessation products available.

As of June 18, 2007, any patient who chooses to leave the building to use tobacco products will be discharged from the hospital. This has potential impact on a patient’s insurance coverage for the visit and also means that the patient must be readmitted before medical treatment can be resumed.

Please help Providence Everett provide a healing environment for patients, guests, medical staff, and employees by following this new policy.