Costs covered for medication aids for most

Willis-Knighton announced they have completed a partnership with the Smoking Cessation Trust, establishing a program to aid Louisiana smokers in their journey to cessation.

The partnership comes from the Trust, which was created in 2012 after a court ruling that ordered tobacco companies to fund a statewide, 10-year smoking cessation program. The WK Tobacco Treatment Clinic will serve those in need with tobacco treatment services at no cost, and among the services will include medications, nicotine replacement therapy, individual and group counseling,and telephone support. The clinic will provide these services on all four of the Willis- Knighton hospital campuses.

As part of their program, Willis-Knighton sent one of their staffers to become a certified tobacco treatment specialist to best serve their patients. Additionally, the hospital anticipates sending more staff to receive certification and continue growing the network of support.

“Our program includes support and guidance in helping one stop tobacco use,” said Jarrod Mitchell, WK Tobacco Treatment Clinic coordinator. “Almost everyone qualifies for the Smoking

Cessation Trust, which will cover their medication aids, including over-the-counter nicotine replacement aids. We advise them on the best approach in medications, set them up with those medications, and meet with them at least once a week to implement techniques and support to help them on their path of stopping tobacco use. We are also available by phone support to assist at times when needed.”

The comprehensive care and support provided by the program is the foundation in which it supports the clients served. The need for this type of program seems obvious, as the harm and dangers related to smoking have been made public knowledge, yet the importance proves crucial for the state of Louisiana as its population is significantly affected.

“Louisiana consistently ranks in the top five states in regard to smoking rates,” Mitchell said. “According to the a Robert Woods Foundation Health Ratings study in 2015, 22 percent of Louisiana residents smoke, that is nearly one in four of every Louisiana resident. According to the United Health Foundation, Louisiana now ranks last in overall health.

“Decreasing smoking rates, I believe, would make a profound impact on the health of the people in our state and

our state rankings. I am very proud of Louisiana, but not proud at all of these statistics. It is time for statistics like these to be greatly changed.”

Those numbers reflect a significant percent of the population and drive the need for a cessation program. The WK Tobacco Treatment Clinic wants to accommodate any and all participants who may be interested and even those who are on the fence. The support for smokers is available and aims to meet them where they are in their journey to quit.

“Anyone that smokes or uses tobacco and wants to stop can join,” Mitchell said. “Or if they are just considering and not sure if they want to stop, they can still come and enroll. The Smoking Cessation Trust covers costs of this program. To be eligible for the Trust, you must be a Louisiana resident and started smoking before Sept. 1, 1988. If you are not eligible for the Trust, more insurances are covering counseling and medication services. We want to make sure this program is either free or minimal cost to enrollees.”

Mitchell said his training to become a certified tobacco treatment specialist has enhanced the quality of care he is able to provide, but that it’s the passion of helping those quit which truly drives his efforts.

“I am a certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist from the Mayo Clinic,” he said. “I visited the Mayo in Rochester, Minn., and did a weeklong training at their center. I learned all I could from them at their program and passed their certification exam. People from around the world come for tobacco treatment to them. I learned from the best. My training also comes from my experience of helping people stop tobacco use. It is a great joy to be a part of the process to see someone accomplish their dreams of stopping smoking.”

While the specialized training and certifications help to provide the tools and education that are offered, Mitchell stated the program looks beyond just the smoking habit and truly focuses on the person. They intend to help each person from start to finish, lending support and encouragement at every phase.

“Most importantly, I want them to know we care,” he said. “We know it is not an easy thing to go through the process of stopping smoking. Many people started smoking early in life and had no idea of the dangers or that it would become so addictive and hard to put down. We are very accepting of all patients that smoke or use tobacco. Tom Gauvin at the Mayo Clinic put it best [when he said], ‘Smokers are not bad people with a bad habit but are good people with a difficult disease.’ The sooner we start looking at this as a disease, instead of a little, old bad habit, I think the sooner more people will seek help. We are ready to be that support that walks alongside people to help them through this addictive disease.”

“The hardest part of quitting is going through it alone,” Mitchell said. “With our program, you have specialists you can rely on and also fellow participants that are going through the same thing one that is quitting is going through. I believe that support is vital in stopping tobacco use.”

– Katie Ho