During National Non-Smoking Week, Ontario's Anesthesiologists (OA) are once again urging patients to stop smoking before surgery in order to protect their own health. In addition, Ontario's Anesthesiologists estimate that if every smoker scheduled for surgery stopped 6-8 weeks prior to their procedure, approximately $122 million could be saved by the health care system.
"We know that patients who stop smoking before surgery not only reduce their risk of complications, but also speed up their recovery time," said Dr. Steven Bodley, Chair of Ontario's Anesthesiologists at the Ontario Medical Association. "Patients that recover more quickly spend less time in hospital and can free up space, saving much needed health care dollars that can be reinvested back into patient care."
OA pointed to the findings of a study published in The Lancet which revealed that the median length of stay for patients dropped if they stopped smoking before surgery. For patients who quit smoking in the 6-8 weeks before surgery, their stay was 11 days, compared to 13 days for those who had simply reduced the amount they smoked by at least 50 percent.
It is estimated that each inpatient at an acute care hospital in Ontario costs $915 per day. That means for every patient that stops smoking 6-8 weeks prior to surgery and spends two less days recovering in hospital there is a potential savings of about $1,830. See backgrounder for further breakdown.
Other benefits to patients who stop smoking before surgery include: