January 21, 2000

Changes have been made to the MGH smoking policy to reduce smoking on the MGH campus. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) requires that the smoking policy is consistently adhered to, and noncompliance could have a negative effect on the hospital's JCAHO accreditation.

Smoking is prohibited in the interior of any hospital building or department, as well as outside all entrances and exits of the hospital and the perimeter of the buildings. Smokers are expected to cross the streets or move away from common areas to smoke. To help ensure the safety of patients, visitors and employees who smoke, a smoking shelter has been built next to the entrance of the Fruit Street garage. It is open seven days a week and will give smokers a place to go that is away from the main entrance as well as the WACC entrance, but is close enough to be safe after hours. Smokers currently smoking outside of the Jackson and Gray lobbies on Blossom Street should use the old shuttle bus stop that is behind the current shelter outside of the Jackson Lobby. This area also has been designated as a smoking-permitted location. Smoking is not permitted on the hospital side of Blossom or Charles streets.

For patients who smoke, a room is open in the Warren corridor across from the glass-enclosed play area of the Back-up Child Care Center. This room is for patients only and will be open from 7 am to 8 pm daily. It is well ventilated and has an emergency phone to Security as well as a closed-circuit television camera for patient safety. Employees smoking in the room will be subject to disciplinary action.