Families First Recognized for Tobacco Cessation Program

The  New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
will  recognize  Families  First  Health and Support Center in
Portsmouth  this afternoon for  its use of an electronic  feedback  system  to help people quit smoking and using tobacco products.

The electronic feedback system was used as part of QuitWorks-NH, a free service  DHHS  offers  to  help  providers  connect  patients  to cessation services  in  New  Hampshire. The aim of the project was to increase Families First's capacity  to intervene with patients who use tobacco, through modifications to  their  electronic  health  records.  

The result was a unique, paperless communication  loop  between  Families  First clinicians and QuitWorks-NH. Since  piloting  the project, Families First has seen an increase in the identification of  patients that use tobacco and an increase in referrals to QuitWorks-NH. This  project  is  the  first of its kind in the State and one of the first being achieved in the Nation.

The Innovation Award will be presented to Families First this afternoon at 3:30 p.m. at the Families First Health and Support Center facility in Portsmouth.

Submitted by Kris Nielsen, public information officer, NHDHHS, Concord