Use of systems change and health information technology to integrate comprehensive tobacco cessation services in a statewide system for delivery of healthcare

Despite the availability of effective treatments and recommendations for systems change, full application of the USPublic Health Service clinical practice guideline for the treatment of tobacco use is seldom achieved. The present report describes a comprehensive, structured approach used to implement the guideline and to integrate evidence-based cessation services into a system for delivery of health care. The PRECEDE-PROCEDE model and systems strategies were employed to design and implement the Tobacco Control Initiative (TCI), which provides evidence-based cessation services for the patients of a statewide public hospital system. For the TCI, multi-level assessments, pilot programs, electronic data collection, and performance feedback were needed to produce system-wide changes in workflow and in the quality of care for tobacco users. Although there are advances in health information technology (HIT), systems approaches are required for responding effectively to the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HI-TECH) Act and to standards governing use of electronic data related to treatment of tobacco use and dependence.