Problem/Objective: This presentation outlines the process used to identify the Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation's Ohio Quits triage system. Ohio Quits is the umbrella term for all of the Foundation's funded cessation programs which include a quit line, hospital-based treatment centers, a self-directed web-based cessation program and community quit programs. The Ohio Quits triage system is designed to match 1-800-Quit-Now callers to the most appropriate among a statewide network of treatment options. Within this model, a call center will serve a triage role, while a quit line is dedicated solely to cessation coaching.

Methods: To develop the triage system, the Foundation used predictive modeling techniques to identify the existing quit line data elements that seemed most promising for triage. Potential triage elements were also identified during a review of triage models used for tobacco cessation and mental health treatment programs. The proposed triage elements were reviewed by an expert panel prior to finalizing the system.

Results: The identified triage data elements include motivation to quit, self-efficacy, social support, nicotine dependence, readiness to quit, and those related to mental and physical health. A centralized database including data elements from intake, triage, treatment and an outcomes evaluation will be created. The centralized database will facilitate the implementation, evaluation and refinement of the triage system.

Conclusions: The Ohio Quits triage system will begin matching Ohio-generated 1-800-Quit-Now calls to a range of treatment options in January, 2008. The system is anticipated to handle an annual intake volume of approximately 70,000 tobacco users.