Influenza Vaccination in Long-Term–Care Facilities: Structuring Programs for Success

1999 ◽  
Vol 20 (7) ◽  
pp. 499-503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret A. McArthur ◽  
Andrew E. Simor ◽  
Beverly Campbell ◽  
Allison McGeer

Objectives:To determine which influenza vaccination program characteristics were associated with high resident vaccination rates in Canadian long-term–care facilities (LTCFs).Design:A cross-sectional survey consisting of a mailed questionnaire conducted in spring 1991.Participants:All 1,520 Canadian LTCFs for the elderly with at least 25 beds.Results:The mean overall influenza vaccination rate in the 1,270 (84%) responding facilities was 79%. In multivariate analysis, the variables significantly associated with increased vaccination rates were: a single nonphysician staff person organizing the program, having more program aspects covered by written policies, the offering of vaccine to all residents, a policy of obtaining consent on admission that was durable for future years rather than repeating consent annually, and automatically administering vaccine to residents whose guardians could not be contacted for consent. Any encouragement to staff to be vaccinated had a significant impact on staff vaccination rates.Conclusion:Well-organized influenza vaccination programs increase the influenza vaccination rates of residents in Canadian LTCFs. Facilities need to develop resident vaccination programs further and to focus on vaccinating staff.

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. e129-e142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Shallcross ◽  
Danielle Burke ◽  
Owen Abbott ◽  
Alasdair Donaldson ◽  
Gemma Hallatt ◽  
...  

2002 ◽  
Vol 23 (10) ◽  
pp. 609-614 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. G. Manuel ◽  
B. Henry ◽  
J. Hockin ◽  
M. Naus

Objective:To investigate the health behavior associated with influenza vaccination among healthcare workers (HCWs) in long-term–care facilities.Design:A cross-sectional, self-administered survey of HCWs, augmented with focus groups to further examine attitudes toward influenza vaccination.Setting:Two long-term–care facilities participated in the survey. The focus groups were held at one of the two facilities.Participants:All HCWs were invited to participate in the survey and all nonmanagerial staff members were invited to participate in the focus groups. The response rate for the survey was 58% (231 of 401).Results:Vaccinated HCWs had a more positive attitude toward influenza vaccination and a greater belief that the vaccine is effective. This was not accompanied by differences in vaccine knowledge or values of potential preventive outcomes. Nonvaccinated respondents were more likely to believe that other preventive measures, such as washing hands, taking vitamins and supplements, eating a nutritious diet, exercising, and taking homeopathic or naturopathic medications, were more effective than vaccination. Additional findings from the focus groups suggest that HCWs believe that the main purpose of influenza vaccination programs is to protect residents' health at the expense, potential harm, and burden of responsibility of the staff.Conclusions:This study identifies challenges to and opportunities for improving vaccination rates among HCWs. A message that emphasizes the health benefits of vaccination to staff members, such as including vaccination as part of a staff “wellness” program, may improve the credibility of influenza immunization programs and coverage rates.(Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2002;23:609-614).


BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. e015521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mubashir A Arain ◽  
Siegrid Deutschlander ◽  
Paola Charland

ObjectivesOver the last 10 years, appropriate workforce utilisation has been an important discussion among healthcare practitioners and policy-makers. The role of healthcare aides (HCAs) has also expanded to improve their utilisation. This evolving role of HCAs in Canada has prompted calls for standardised training, education and scope of practice for HCAs. The purpose of this research was to examine the differences in HCAs training and utilisation in continuing care facilities.DesignFrom June 2014 to July 2015, we conducted a mixed-method study on HCA utilisation in continuing care. This paper presents findings gathered solely from the prospective cross-sectional survey of continuing care facilities (long-term care (LTC) and supportive living (SL)) on HCA utilisation.Setting and participantsWe conducted this study in a Western Canadian province. The managers of the continuing care facilities (SL and LTC) were eligible to participate in the survey.Primary outcome measuresThe pattern of HCAs involvement in medication assistance and other care activities in SL and LTC facilities.ResultsWe received 130 completed surveys (LTC=64 and SL=52). Our findings showed that approximately 81% of HCAs were fully certified. We found variations in how HCAs were used in SL and LTC facilities. Overall, HCAs in SL were more likely to be involved in medication management such as assisting with inhaled medication and oral medication delivery. A significantly larger proportion of survey respondents from SL facilities reported that medication assistance training was mandatory for their HCAs (86%) compared with the LTC facilities (50%) (p value <0.01).ConclusionThe utilisation of HCAs varies widely between SL and LTC facilities. HCAs in SL facilities may be considered better used according to their required educational training and competencies. Expanding the role of HCAs in LTC facilities may lead to a cost-effective and more efficient utilisation of workforce in continuing care facilities.


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 194-200
Author(s):  
Lynn Jiang ◽  
Christopher Tedeschi ◽  
Saleena Subaiya

AbstractBackgroundFew studies have described the challenges experienced by long-term care facilities (LTCFs) following Hurricane Sandy. This study examined LTCF preparedness and experiences during and after the storm.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted 2 years after Hurricane Sandy to assess LTCF demographics, preparation, and post-storm resources. Surveys were conducted at LTCFs located on the Rockaway Peninsula of New York City. All LTCFs located in a heavily affected area were approached.ResultsOf 29 facilities, 1 had closed, 5 did not respond, 9 declined to participate, and 14 participated, yielding a response rate of 50% for open facilities. Twenty-one percent of the facilities had preparations specifically for hurricanes. More than 70% of the facilities had lost electricity, heat, and telephone service, and one-half had evacuated. Twenty-one percent of the facilities reported not receiving any assistance and over one-half reported that relief resources did not meet their needs.ConclusionsMany LTCFs lacked plans specific to such a large-scale event. Since nearly all of the LTCFs in the region were affected, preexisting transportation and housing plans may have been inadequate. Future preparation could include hazard-specific planning and reliance on resources from a wider geographic area. Access to electricity emerged as a top priority. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:194–200)


2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 643-652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helena Feldman ◽  
A. Mark Clarfield ◽  
Jenny Brodsky ◽  
Yaron King ◽  
Tzvi Dwolatzky

Background: To determine the prevalence of dementia among the residents of geriatric institutions in the greater Jerusalem area.Methods: A population-based, cross-sectional survey of a representative sample, weighted according to the level of care, of 11 of the 88 long-term care (LTC) wards in 34 LTC institutions providing care for the elderly residents in the greater Jerusalem area in 1999. A single physician interviewed 311 residents. The presence of dementia was determined from medical records and by performance on the Modified Mini-mental State Examination (3MS) instrument (with a score less than 78/100 indicating significant cognitive impairment or suspected dementia), and professional care providers were interviewed for their opinion regarding the presence of dementia in each subject.Results: The mean age of the patients was 83.9 years and 75% were women. Overall, 180 residents, representing 49.9% of the weighted sample in Jerusalem LTC facilities, were determined to have dementia according to medical records, ranging from 22.9% in independent and frail care units to 97.7% in skilled nursing care wards. However, based on their performance on the 3MS, the prevalence of cognitive impairment with suspected dementia among the subjects was substantially greater, with the staff being unaware of this diagnosis in about one-quarter of the subjects.Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of dementia in geriatric institutions in the Jerusalem area, particularly in those providing greater care. Moreover, significant cognitive impairment is probably under-reported in the medical records.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miho Sato ◽  
Michiko Yuki ◽  
Saori Okubo

Abstract Background: Diabetes is one of the common aging-related diseases, and older people with diabetes are likely to have significant health issues. In long-term care facilities, nurses often face challenges in providing appropriate diabetes care for residents. This study aimed to describe the experience and perception of nurses in diabetes care at long-term care facilities.Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional survey was administered to 1371 nurses representing different facilities. A self-report questionnaire was used to collect data regarding demographic characteristics of participants, variables related to diabetes management, difficulties in diabetes care, and the recognition of educational opportunity needs in diabetes care as well as needs for diabetes care guidelines. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were performed to examine the associations among variables.Results: Among participants, 88.7% owned registered nurse license and had an average experience of 10.4 years in long-term care facilities. Approximately 61% perceived difficulties in recognizing signs/symptoms of acute metabolic failure due to hyperglycemia, while about 37% of participants did in being aware of the signs/symptoms of hypoglycemia. About 59% of participants perceived difficulties in managing blood glucose with respect to residents’ needs and preferences. Approximately 62% recognized educational opportunity needs and about 75% recognized the need for diabetes care guidelines suitable for long-term care facilities. These needs were related to the perception of difficulties, but not to variables related to diabetes management. Conclusion: This study identified the specific areas in which nurses experienced difficulties in diabetes care for residents and revealed the areas in which an approach for improving confidence of nurses in diabetes care is needed as a priority. Moreover, educational opportunities and diabetes care guidelines are required to improve the quality of care for long-term care residents.


2001 ◽  
Vol 22 (08) ◽  
pp. 519-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao Wei Cui ◽  
Marcia M. Nagao ◽  
Paul V. Effler

Abstract Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination rates among Hawaii long-term-care facilities (LTCFs) statewide during the 1996/97 through the 1998/99 influenza seasons revealed that resident influenza vaccination rates remained over 89%, but pneumococcal vaccination was underutilized. LTCF staff influenza vaccination rates over the same time period were low.


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