Tobacco Free Campus
 To support a healthier lifestyle and environment for patient healing, New Hanover Regional Medical Center is now tobacco free. The use of tobacco products is banned in all buildings and on all property of the network.
The policy applies to employees, patients, physicians, students, families, visitors, volunteers and all others who either visit or do business on any property owned by New Hanover Regional Medical Center, including Cape Fear Hospital and other offsite locations. It also applies to all tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, herbal tobacco products and chewing tobacco.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the tobacco-free policy affect everyone on NHRMC campus or just patients?
A: The policy applies to everyone. That includes all employees, patients, physicians, students, contracted personnel, volunteers, visitors, vendors, and tenants of New Hanover Regional Medical Center and its off campus sites.
Q: Will there be any designated areas at the hospital or off campus sites where tobacco use is permitted?
A: No, there will be no designated "tobacco-use areas" on any NHRMC campus property.
Q: Can I smoke in my car in the hospital parking lot?
A: No, the use of tobacco is prohibited anywhere on hospital property, whether leased or owned,
including personal vehicles parked on New Hanover Regional Medical Center owned or leased
property.
Q: If a patient leaves the campus to use tobacco, will the patient be allowed back into the hospital?
A: Patients who insist on leaving the campus to use tobacco will be required to check out of the hospital AMA (Against Medical Advice). Upon returning to the hospital they will be re-admitted through NHRMC's standard admitting process.
Q: What if I refuse to stop using tobacco products on your campus?
A: If anyone is seen using tobacco products on hospital property, employees and volunteers have been directed to inform NHRMC Special Police Services. Officers will inform the person using tobacco that they are on a tobacco-free campus, and will work to bring about a speedy resolution.
Q: Where are the closest areas to the hospital that I will be able to use tobacco?
A: There are outlines of all NHRMC campuses posted on the hospital's website at www.nhrmc.org. The tobacco-free areas extend to the boundaries of all hospital properties.
Q: If patients or their families are going through a stressful time at the hospital, will you have anything available to help them?
A: Yes. NHRMC will have Nicotine Replacement Therapies available for patients, which can be prescribed by their physicians prior to admission into the hospital. There will also be nicotine gum and patches available in hospital gift shops for families and visitors. For visitors who need nicotine replacement therapy assistance after hours, a sampling of gum will be available from Nursing Supervisors, Special Police and in the Emergency Department and AOO units. These samples will be provided free of charge through the end of 2007.
Q: Will Nicotine Replacement Therapies be available to family members and visitors after hours?
A: Yes. Family members and visitors can get a free individual sample of nicotine gum or a nicotine patch after hours by asking the nurse on duty. This service will be provided free of charge through the end of 2007.
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