Sanford's Systems Change and Partnership with Public Health

Audience: Public Health, health care organizations: clinic or hospital, grant provider Key Points: Review North Dakota's political climate in regards to tobacco settlement funds and establishment of the Center for Tobacco Prevention and Control Policy. Describe Sanford Health's unique partnership with public health and various programs. Describe Sanford Health's outcomes in regards to systems change including system wide implementation of fax referrals to quitlines, improved cessation services offered to employees and pursuit of improved cessation coverage within the Sanford Health plan, and implementing policy changes. With the establishment of a 0.5 FTE position driving change, policy changes have occurred in regards to tobacco free grounds, assessment and treatment of ambulatory patients, clinics are making 133 fax referrals to the states of ND and MN monthly and providing over 600 educational documents relating to cessation and second hand smoke exposure monthly. Educational Experience: Powerpoint presentation including screen shots within centricity EMR and outcome data reported. A focus on various quality measures that were important to Sanford to create “buy in” for these initiatives is also mentioned. Benefits: Participants can see an example of an effective partnership between public health driving systems change and the results of that work in the past 24 months. North Dakota is in a unique position in regards to tobacco control funding and are effectively using some funds to institute health systems change. Sanford Health serves a multi state region and also partners with Minnesota quitplan and are continuing to seek ways to improve services for tobacco users region and system wide.