Abrazo Health Care going smoke-free in 2011

11/18/2010 12:00:00 AM

ABRAZO HEALTH CARE ADOPTING SMOKE-FREE POLICY IN 2011

Policy aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles throughout hospital system

PHOENIX (Nov.18, 2010) – Abrazo Health Care is implementing a smoke and tobacco-free policy for its hospitals, facilities and buildings effective January 1, 2011. From that date forward, employees, patients and visitors will be asked to refrain from using tobacco products on the grounds of any building operated by Abrazo.

With the Centers for Disease Control reporting that smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths, this new policy is a reflection of Abrazo’s commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles and reducing the incidence of tobacco-related illnesses. By restricting tobacco use on its properties, Abrazo is following a national trend that indicates the majority of hospital systems in the U.S. are moving to a smoke and tobacco-free environment.

“We know that tobacco creates a significant health hazard for our employees, patients, visitors and the community,” said Dan F. Ausman, president, Abrazo Health Care. “By implementing this policy, we are joining a nationwide movement to encourage healthy decisions and prevent unnecessary deaths. This action speaks directly to our mission of helping people achieve Health for Life.”

Paradise Valley Hospital, an affiliate of Abrazo Health Care, was the first in the system to adopt a smoke and tobacco-free policy four years ago. Now, the policy will extend to all Abrazo hospitals, including Arizona Heart Hospital; Arrowhead Hospital, Maryvale Hospital, Phoenix Baptist Hospital and West Valley Hospital, along with Arizona Heart Institute, the offices of its two health plans, four imaging centers, Abrazo Medical Group and all other operations.

About Abrazo Health Care

As the second largest health care system in Arizona, Abrazo Health Care’s mission is to help people achieve health for life. The Abrazo system includes five acute care hospitals: Arrowhead Hospital, Maryvale Hospital, Paradise Valley Hospital, Phoenix Baptist Hospital and West Valley Hospital; one cardiovascular specialty hospital: Arizona Heart Hospital; one freestanding dedicated cardiovascular outpatient facility: Arizona Heart Institute, and has 1,043 licensed beds. In addition the system consists of two health plans: Phoenix Health Plan, and Abrazo Advantage, serving nine counties in the state; Abrazo Advanced Imaging Centers with five locations; School-Based Health Centers; and Abrazo Medical Group with 84 employed primary care and specialty physicians in 20 Valley locations. Visit www.abrazohealth.com for more information.

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