RESUMEN
WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Many psychiatric inpatients use tobacco, but most psychiatric hospital units prohibit tobacco use. Psychiatric nurses do not receive adequate education about how to teach patients to best manage tobacco withdrawal symptoms. WHAT DOES THIS PAPER ADD TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: Psychiatric nurses who receive a brief educational intervention about tobacco withdrawal symptoms and best practices for using nicotine gum may be more prepared to teach patients about these topics. In turn, patients may use nicotine gum more often during their hospitalization, leading to improved outcomes for them as well as for staff. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: A simple educational intervention aimed at psychiatric nurses can result in positive outcomes for psychiatric inpatients who use tobacco. Patients who have a positive experience with stopping tobacco use while hospitalized may be more likely to commit to lifelong tobacco cessation afterwards. The results of this feasibility study demonstrate that additional research that builds on the work presented here is warranted. ABSTRACT: Introduction Tobacco use is prohibited in most psychiatric facilities in the United States, yet many psychiatric inpatients are tobacco users. Psychiatric nurses have reported inadequate education about best practices for managing tobacco dependence. Aim To explore the feasibility of an educational intervention for psychiatric nurses designed to improve their ability to educate patients about best practices for managing tobacco dependence, as well as effective use of nicotine gum. Method Fourteen nurses on a psychiatric inpatient unit at a community hospital were educated about the targeted topics. Chart reviews of nonequivalent pre-intervention and post-intervention patient groups were conducted to explore the outcomes of the intervention. Results Patients received more teaching, and used nicotine gum more often, following the intervention. However, no statistically significant differences between the pre-intervention and post-intervention patient groups were found. Discussion Educating nurses about best practices for managing tobacco withdrawal symptoms may have positive outcomes. Existing research suggests that such interventions may be most effective when support and structure are provided to ensure long-term practice changes. Implications for practice This feasibility study demonstrates that a brief nurse education intervention has the potential to improve the experience of tobacco withdrawal for psychiatric inpatients. Future research that expands upon the current project is warranted.