The Management of Nicotine Addiction Assessment (Inpatient) Tool (MNAAT) is used as part of the admission procedure for inpatients who smoke, to prevent nicotine withdrawal symptoms and ensuring patient comfort and care.
The Quit Your Way team has recently reviewed and updated the MNAAT, this supports acute staff to manage nicotine addiction and ensures a standardised and dynamic approach, across all 3 acute sites. Along with the updated MNAAT, the team is also offering training to all clinical staff in helping identify, understand and be competent in recognising nicotine addiction and withdrawal symptoms.
Training can be delivered in your own clinical area by a Stop Smoking Nurse Advisor. To organise training sessions or find out more, please contact Catriona.McInnes@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk or call 01698 754 888.
Jackie Macdonald, Team Leader – Quit Your Way, said: “The revision of the MNAAT is a great opportunity for us to link in with and support our acute colleagues to recognise and manage nicotine addiction. We are keen to increase referrals and support inpatients who smoke during their stay in hospital, and to do this effectively, we must support acute staff to be aware of what is available for patients who smoke.
“Managing patients nicotine withdrawal in a supportive manner and prescribing appropriate Nicotine Replacement Therapy may prevent the patient becoming agitated or anxious, making their stay in hospital more comfortable.
“Evidence shows that in 2020/2021 there were 7,883 smoking related admissions in NHS Lanarkshire. If patients are made aware they can seek support from our service to quit smoking, we can continue working towards reducing the number of smoking related admissions.
“Our service will continue to support patients with NRT and behavioural support once they leave hospital.”
Robert Sterritt, who quit smoking with Quit Your Way after being referred when he was in hospital, said: “I found out about Quit Your Way whilst I was in hospital after having a heart attack. My nurse asked me if I smoked, and when I responded I did, she asked if I would like referred to Quit Your Way.
“I started Nicotine Replacement Therapy whilst I was in hospital, and was issued with patches and gum. I was also shown how to apply the patch and given the tip to remove before sleeping as I experienced sleep disturbances from the nicotine.
“The Quit Your Way team supported me after my hospital stay by posting my NRT to my home. It’s been about six weeks now that I’ve been smoke-free and I previously smoked around 40 cigarettes per day.”
The local Lanarkshire helpline is where you can get assistance with queries for all staff in regards to patients stopping smoking, including:
- Taking referrals
- Provide behavioural support to clients who are motivated to stop smoking (as required)
- Advise on pharmacotherapy products available to support quitting
All health professionals can refer patients to the local Quit Your Way helpline by calling 01698 754 888, Monday to Friday. If you’re unable to call, please complete the short referral form and email it to us (email found on the form).
