Development of a health promotion care pathway for adult hospital-based patients

UK health policy highlights the importance of hospital patients being assessed for smoking, alcohol and obesity, and delivered health promotion for these risk factors; yet there is a paucity of guidance and research on health promotion care pathways that can inform the development of effective and efficient hospital health promotion services. Consultation with health-care professionals and public health experts was undertaken in order to develop a health promotion care pathway for smoking, alcohol and obesity. Eight adult wards piloted the care pathway. An audit of case-notes was completed for patients discharged from the pilot wards over 13 weeks. Patients were also followed up by survey for service and behaviour change feedback four weeks after discharge. In all, 56% of patients were assessed for lifestyle risk factors, 43% of whom were identified as having a risk factor and 13% were referred to specialists in delivering brief interventions (key workers). Seventy percent of patients referred to as key workers reported a positive change in their lifestyle. In conclusion, involvement of staff is essential in the development of the care pathway, ensuring that timely efficient processes are in place in order to affect the optimal outcome for patients in changing lifestyle behaviours.