Quit Connect Program Significantly Boosts Smoking Cessation in Rheumatology Patients

Introduction to Quit Connect Program

In an effort to help patients quit smoking, a rheumatology clinic launched an initiative called Quit Connect. This program was not only feasible but also cost-effective. It led to a twenty-fold increase in smoking cessation referrals to the state quit line, as revealed by research published in Arthritis Care & Research.

How Quit Connect Works

The Quit Connect program uses electronic health record (EHR) prompts. These prompts remind clinic staff to assess a patient's willingness to quit smoking, inform them about the health benefits of quitting, and refer them to the state quit line or a smoking cessation class. The goal is to provide personalized support to patients, many of whom have higher smoking rates due to conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Higher Smoking Rates in Rheumatology Patients

Studies have shown that smoking rates are higher among individuals suffering from RA and SLE compared to those without these conditions. Smoking not only increases cardiovascular risks but also worsens disease severity and can lead to treatment-resistant cases of both RA and SLE.

Despite these risks, a 2023 report found that only one-third of patients received advice or assistance to quit smoking from their healthcare providers.

Implementation and Training

The implementation of the Quit Connect program included 20-minute pre-implementation staff meetings, a one-hour training session, building EHR reminders, and conducting monthly audits for staff feedback. This thorough preparation helped integrate the program smoothly into the clinic's routine.

Program Results

Before the Quit Connect initiative, clinic staff asked patients about their readiness to quit smoking less than 10% of the time. Post-intervention, this figure rose to 31.8%, and 58.9% of those patients expressed readiness to reduce or quit smoking — a substantial increase.

Of 550 smoking patients, 102 (18.5%) accepted referrals to either the quit line or a cessation class. Out of 83 individuals contacted by the quit line, 46 were reachable, and 17 set a quit date or were already attempting to quit.

Success and Sustainability

The study found that the odds of patients being referred to the quit line or a cessation class increased more than twenty-fold following the intervention. Additionally, the cost of the program was deemed economical, with quit attempts costing between $4.25 and $10.28 each.

Reproducibility and Broader Impact

Quit Connect not only boosted smoking cessation referrals significantly within three months but also sustained these improvements over a two-year period, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program's success was previously replicated in two Midwest centers with different populations and resources.

These findings suggest that Quit Connect could serve as a scalable public health strategy suitable for various healthcare settings, including those that are underserved or rely on safety-net services.