July 10, 2019

Ohio AAP Provides Support and Resources to Pediatricians to Reduce Infant Mortality

Many parents of newborns do not realize that by reducing smoke exposure and practicing safe sleep behaviors they can not only reduce their child’s risk of Sudden Unexplained Infant Death (SUID), but also promote long term health for their child. The Ohio AAP’s Smoke Free for Me program supports pediatricians in screening and intervening to promote smoke free homes for infants. The program has completed two waves, with over 100 providers participating, and has shown exciting results, including a 45% reduction of in-home smoke exposure. The program is quick and easy and families consistently report appreciation for the program. Additionally, the program will assist your practice in utilizing skills and resources you gain from the program to impact all of the patients you serve.

The Ohio AAP, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Department of Medicaid, is excited to launch Wave 3 of Smoke Free for Me in the Fall of 2019. Participating providers receive a variety of tools and resources, in addition to practice coaching and support from Ohio AAP staff.

Tools and Resources Include:

  • Easy data collection tool that is scannable and requires NO data entry from you – you have more time to focus on patient care
  • Helpful talking points to support providers in having those difficult conversations with families about the dangers of smoke exposure
  • Great resources for all of your families about tobacco smoke exposure and vaping
  • Training and practice coaching support in implementing the 5As of smoking cessation in a pediatric setting
  • Training and practice coaching support in supporting and tracking behavior change
  • Networking opportunities with other healthcare providers interested in smoking cessation
  • 25 points of MOC IV credit

Dr. Mercy Brew of Mt. Healthy Family Practice in Cincinnati Ohio participated in Wave 2 and said it best:

“I have so many families that have people that smoke and I was not very comfortable raising that subject but knew it impacted my patients so much, so many ear infections, so many asthmatics as patients and now I have the confidence to address it and my patients appreciate it very much as well.”

Please contact Kristen Fluitt, Program Manager at kfluitt@ohioaap.org or 614-846-6258 if you would like more information about the program. To register go to:  http://oldsite.ohioaap.org/sffm3reg/.

 


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Ohio AAP Practice Manager Discussion Board - Disclaimer

This page is for practice managers and office employees to discuss issues they’re experiencing in their practices. Many problems that we hear about can help other practices, so we invite you to share best practices by posting issues and by responding to issues other practices are experiencing. This page is monitored by the Ohio AAP. Advice and opinions expressed on these discussion boards are the views of the poster and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ohio AAP. If you have any issues, questions, or feedback, please contact Melanie Farkas.