Mecklenburg County Health Department Implementing 5A’s

By Rachell Grounds

One important step in addressing tobacco use is encouraging health care providers to screen all patients for tobacco use. Health professionals can help reduce the number of tobacco users in North Carolina by implementing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ recommended “5A’s” (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange) in every patient’s visit. In 2010, the Mecklenburg County Health Department Family Planning program staff were trained on the 5A’s and clinic staff are now asking all patient s about tobacco use.

Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. The Mecklenburg County Health Department Family Planning program staff members recognize that tobacco use is prevalent among their patients. In an effort to help their clients quit using tobacco, the program’s 26 registered nurses and its physician, Dr. Lena White, participated in the 5A’s training offered by Mecklenburg County’s tobacco control program.

The Family Planning program sees an average of 180 patients each day between two clinic locations. Nedra Martin, Clinical Manager for the Family Planning program, said that all patients that visit the clinic are asked if they are tobacco users and the information is recorded.

For returning patients, the nurse will review the chart and then proceed to the next steps of the 5A’s if appropriate. When brief counseling and encouragement to quit are delivered by trusted healthcare professionals, patients are more likely to quit tobacco. This brief process could ultimately save many lives while raising both patient and healthcare provider awareness of the real dangers of tobacco use.

In addition to the 5A’s, the patients are given information about the QuitlineNC. This telephone quitting resource offers callers free one-on-one support in quitting tobacco. QuitlineNC connects tobacco users to an experienced Quit Coach to help create a quit plan and help the tobacco user through the plan.

QuitlineNC is free, confidential and available 8 a.m. to 3 a.m., seven days a week. It is a simple phone call away to make that step in becoming an ex-smoker. 1-800-784-8669. For more informationon the 5A’s, or to arrange training for your healthcare organization, contact Project ASSIST at 704-336-4660.