Page 32 - TAIWAN TOBACCO CONTROL ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Tobacco-free Hospitals 21 countries around the globe have already joined the Global Network for Tobacco Free Healthcare Services (GNTH) since its establishment in 1999. Taiwan joined the network in 2011 and became the first network in the Asia Pacific region. With greater emphasis and support on health promotion works, hospitals in Taiwan have swiftly expanded to the largest network in the Asia Pacific region, and the scale continues to expand such that as of 2018, 213 hospitals have joined the network. The ROC health care system always pursues excellence. Most hospitals tend to accept health promotion and disease prevention. Through the principles of tobacco-free hospitals: "Tobacco-free hospitals not only must adhere to tobacco restriction laws and regulations, but are also obligated to reduce tobacco use and thereby lower tobacco hazards" along with the eight major standards (Governance and commitment, Communication, Education and training, Identification, diagnosis and smoking cessation support, Tobacco-free environment, Healthy workplace, Community engagement, Monitoring and evaluation) of the GNTH Concept, it ensures comprehensive improvements to tobacco controls, helps hospitals establish self-monitoring systems of non- smoking environments in the hospital, and identifies the tobacco use status of patients (as well as second-hand smoke exposure of family members) allowing health care providers to actively urge cessation and offer assistance and create a tobacco-free action plan that covers every element from the hospital environment to its people. Monitoring and evaluation The healthcare organization monitors and evaluates the implementation of all the GNTH standards at regular intervals. Community engagement The healthcare organization contributes to and promotes tobacco control/prevention in the local community according to the WHO FCTC and/or national public health strategy. Healthy workplace The healthcare organization has human resource management policies and support systems that protect and promote the health of all who work in the organization. Standard 1 Communication The healthcare organization has a comprehensive communication strategy to support awareness and implementation of the tobacco-free policy and smoking cessation services. Education and training The healthcare organization ensures appropriate education and training for clinical and non- clinical staff. Identification, diagnosis and smokingcessation support The healthcare organization identifies all tobacco users and provides appropriate care in line with international best practice and national standards. Governance and commitment The healthcare organization has clear and strong leadership to systematically implement a tobacco- free policy. Standard 8 Standard 7 Standard6 Standard 2 TheHPAandlocal health bureaus assist tobacco-free hospitals in achieving the following 8 standards for international certification Standard 3 Standard5 Standard4 Tobacco-free environment 30 The healthcare organization has strategies in place to achieve a tobacco-free campus.