Implementing Screening and Treatment Pathways for Teens Who Vape in a Community-Based Pediatrics Clinic in Northern California
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this report was to summarize implementation of universal screening and treatment pathways for youth vaping in a large, community-based health care system in the United States. METHODS: Data were obtained as a part of routine clinical care and were extracted from medical records weekly for 4 years. Variables reported include number of teens screened, teens who tested positive, referrals, and quit rates, as well as gender and race or ethnicity. RESULTS: Of the 16,671 visits, 12,165 (73%) teens were screened, 632 (5.2%) teens screened positive, and of those who screened positive, 128 (20%) referrals were placed. For those who were referred, 40 teens (31.3%) quit vaping (abstinence for at least 3 weeks) and 21 (16%) decided to receive nicotine replacement therapy (nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges). CONCLUSIONS: This study outlines a screening and intervening pathway that can be used in other health care systems in the United States and beyond. Teen vaping can be addressed before it becomes a serious addiction. Institutions can experience cost-saving benefits in that increasing outreach efforts and education would ultimately reduce the number of inpatient/emergency department visits/hospitalizations related to vaping.
Source: The Permanente Journal
DOI: 10.7812/tpp/24.087
Authors: Daisy Albarran Garcia, Brooke Harris, Alex Tsang, Thomas Tsang, Karen Cerrato, Chynna I Bantug, Wynnyee Tom
Institution: Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4404976925