AUGUSTA – The Maine Tobacco-Free Hospital Network, a program of the Breathe Easy Coalition of Maine, recently recognized 33 Maine hospitals through the annual Gold Star Standards of Excellence program during a recognition event at the Maine Hospital Association.
The program encourages and awards Maine hospitals for meeting best practice standards around creating a tobacco-free environment and supporting tobacco-free lifestyles. The number of health care organizations meeting these standards has more than doubled since the program began in 2010, with 85 percent of hospitals being recognized in 2015.
Franklin Memorial Hospital (FMH) was one of 26 hospitals statewide to receive the highest Gold Star award level (gold). FMH has achieved this level every year since the program’s inception, being cited as meeting all 10 best practice standards around creating a tobacco-free environment and supporting tobacco-free lifestyles.
“Franklin Memorial Hospital is pleased to receive this recognition and set an example for other organizations in our community,” said Gerald Cayer, vice president. “Keeping our campus tobacco-free not only impacts the health of employees, patients, and visitors by reducing exposure to secondhand smoke, but also communicates the critical message that tobacco use is exceptionally hazardous to health.”
“Hospitals are health and wellness role models for their communities, so it’s important for them to set an example around reducing tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke,” said Breathe Easy Coalition Program coordinator, Sarah Mayberry. “The Gold Star Standards of Excellence program is an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of Maine hospitals to create policies addressing these issues.
All Maine hospitals that meet at least seven of the 10 standards are invited to apply, and they are recognized at the gold, silver, or bronze level depending on the number of evidence-based strategies they have met.
FMH addresses tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke through comprehensive policies, education, social norm change, and treatment support. The ten Gold Star Standards of Excellence include creating a 100 percent tobacco-free campus, implementing evidence-based treatment strategies, promoting smoke-free lodging options for visitors, and providing tobacco treatment and medication benefits for employees.
“Meeting these standards requires hard work and commitment from these health care organizations, and the Maine Tobacco-Free Hospital Network is pleased to be able to honor their dedication,” said Mayberry. Learn more about the Maine Tobacco‑Free Hospital Network and Gold Star Standards of Excellence by visiting www.MaineTobaccoFreeHospitals.org or calling (207) 874‑8774.
