Table 4.

Summary of Previously Published Studies of the Vital Sign Intervention

Study
FeatureRobinson et al12 (1995)Fiore et al11 (1995)Ahluwalia et al13 (1999)Piper et al14 (2003)Boyle and Solberg15 (2004)Milch et al16 (2004)Maizlish et al17 (2006)
NRT = nicotine replacement therapy.
Note: For cells containing a dash (–), there were no equivalent measures or data.
a Exact number of smokers in baseline sample was not reported.
b Control vs intervention.
c Change was statistically significant.
d Control vs routine vital sign. Change was larger for control vs enhanced vital sign arm of the study.
Setting1 family practice residency training site1 academic internal medicine clinic1 inner-city residency walk-in clinic5 clinics2 clinics5 teams in 1 hospital-based primary care practice7 community health centers
DesignBefore and afterBefore and afterIntervention and control alternating every2 weeksRandomization of practices to intervention or controlPhone survey before and after institution of vital sign measureNonrandom allocation of 2 teams to routine vital signs or enhanced vital signs; 3 teams as controlsBefore and after
Number of participants (smokers)637 (179)1,864 (254)2,811 (883)9,439 (1,611)4,667 (332)3,063 (644)1,571 (≈267)a
Ask (A1)
    MeasurePatients’ report of physician asking if they smokePatients’ report of physician asking if they smoked cigarettesPatients’ report of physician asking if they smokeVisits with chart evidence of tobacco use documentationMedical record documentation of smoking statusMedical record documentation of smoking status
    Changeb25.5% vs 52.6%c45.6% vs 78.4%c24.0% vs 41.2%c38.0% vs 78.4%c49% vs 86%c,d57% vs 85%c
Any counseling (A2–5)
    MeasureVisits in which physician discussed smokingVisits with chart evidence of tobacco use documentationChart evidence of advising, quitting, setting quit date, referral or pharmacotherapy
    Changeb47% vs 86%c33.5% vs 18.8%c30% vs 38%d
Advise (A2)
    MeasureVisits in which physician advised quittingSmokers’ report of physician advice to quitSmokers’ report of physician telling them to quitSmokers’ report of physician advice to quitSmokers’ report of advice to quitMedical record documentation of advice to quit
    Changeb50% vs 80%c48.8% vs 69.8%c26.9% vs 39.9%c60.0% vs 37.1%c66.3% vs 66.5%26% vs 26%
Further discussion (A3–5)
    MeasureSmokers’ report of physician advice on how to quit
    Changeb23.8% vs 42.6%c
Assist (A4)
    MeasureSmokers’ report of physician helping to set quit dateSmokers’ report of physician assistance with how to quitSmokers’ report of physician helping to set quit dateSmokers’ report of NRT prescription
    Changeb<1% vs <1%2.8% vs 4.8%c4.4% vs 1.5%c8.5% vs 1.9%c
Arrange (A5)
    MeasureSmokers’ report that physician arranged follow-up
    Changeb6.2% vs 12.3%c