Chi Mei Promotes Smoke-Free Hospitals: Woman Successfully Quits Smoking During Fracture Hospitalization

(Central News Agency reporter Yang Sui-rui, Tainan, 17th) Chi Mei Medical System has introduced electronic medical records to promote smoke-free hospitals. The information system automatically identifies smokers during patient visits and alerts smoking cessation health educators for immediate intervention. A woman hospitalized due to a fracture from a car accident received assistance during her stay and, after continuous follow-up post-discharge, successfully achieved complete smoking cessation.

The Global Network for Tobacco Free Healthcare Services (GNTH) announced the list of recipients for the '2026 International Gold Award for Tobacco-Free Hospitals' in May. A total of 11 healthcare institutions worldwide passed the evaluation, including six tobacco-free hospitals in Taiwan recommended by Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare's Health Promotion Administration. Chi Mei Hospital and Liouying Chi Mei Hospital from the Chi Mei Medical System both received the award.

Chi Mei Hospital held a results announcement event today. Hospital Director Lin Hong-rong stated in his speech that the Chi Mei Medical System has integrated electronic medical record alerts, enabling medical teams to identify smokers and individuals exposed to secondhand smoke during patient visits and proactively notify health educators for intervention. By combining information technology with data monitoring, the system provides more timely and precise smoking cessation support, with outcomes far exceeding national benchmarks.

Liouying Chi Mei Hospital Director Zhou Wei-ni stated that the hospital has introduced remote monitoring and public address systems to immediately conduct health education when smoking is detected. The hospital has also allocated funds and implemented a performance-based incentive system to encourage staff to quit smoking. The six-month smoking cessation success rate among staff reached 75%, with some employees quitting for a full year and receiving a bonus of nearly NT$10,000.

Chi Mei Medical System's Chief of Family Medicine, Huang Jian-yuan, mentioned that the hospital once treated a 50-year-old woman who had been a long-term smoker and was hospitalized due to a fracture from a car accident. After the hospital's information system automatically identified her as a smoker and alerted a smoking cessation health educator, the medical team assisted in formulating a smoking cessation plan during her hospitalization. After discharge, the team continued follow-up, helping the patient overcome withdrawal symptoms and life stress, ultimately achieving complete smoking cessation.

Tainan City Health Bureau Director Li Cui-feng stated that Chi Mei Hospital and Liouying Chi Mei Hospital first received the Global Tobacco-Free Hospital International Gold Award in 2022 and have once again been recognized this year. Jiari Chi Mei Hospital also received the award in 2023, indicating that the entire Chi Mei Medical System's efforts in promoting a smoke-free environment have gained international recognition. The city government hopes to establish a platform in the future to invite more hospitals to join, collectively promoting a smoke-free environment across Tainan City. (Editor: Zhang Ya-jing) 1150617