The Northern Adirondack Medical Home (NAMH) announced a new program to help participating Medical Home practices provide on-site follow-up counseling and support to their tobacco dependent patients. Luanne Poland, BSN, RN, CHC, CTTS, the Treatment Lead, will work with participating offices to establish a referral process and on-site counseling schedule that will allow providers to offer their patients high quality, convenient treatment for their tobacco use dependence.
NAMH has successfully piloted this new service in 3 practices; Family Medicine (CVPH Health Center), Adult Medicine (Great North Woods Medical), and CVPH Pulmonary Associates. To date Poland has counseled more than 70 patients providing knowledge and tools for patients to better manage their cessation process, helping them to become tobacco-free.
Ms. Poland is a Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist (CTTS), a credential awarded healthcare professionals who have completed additional tobacco cessation treatment training. Ms. Poland received CTTS training at the Rutgers Tobacco Dependence Program with the support of funds secured by North Country Healthy Heart Network in 2013. Two more NAMH nurse case managers will be trained later this year with the support of an American Lung Association grant awarded to the Heart Network.
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