A Statewide System for Improving Influenza Vaccination Rates in Hospital Employees

Objective.To describe and report the progress of a provider-initiated approach to increase influenza immunization rates for healthcare workers.Design.Observational study.Setting.The State of Iowa.Subjects.Acute care hospitals in Iowa.Methods.Hospitals reported rates of employee influenza vaccination to a provider-based collaborative during 2 influenza seasons (2006-2007 and 2007-2008). Hospital characteristics related to higher vaccination rates were examined.Results.One hundred (87.0%) of 115 Iowa hospitals and/or health systems participated in season 1; individual hospital vaccination rates ranged from 43.5% to 99.2% (mean, 72.4%; median, 73.1%). In season 2, 115 (100%) of 115 Iowa hospitals and/or health systems participated. Individual hospital vaccination rates ranged from 53.6% to 100% (mean, 79.5%; median, 82.0%). In both seasons, urban and large hospitals had vaccination rates that were 6.3% to 7.6% lower than those of hospitals in other locations. Hospitals that used declination statements had influenza vaccination rates 12.6% higher than hospitals that did not use declination statements in season 2.Conclusion.The initial vaccination rates were high for healthcare workers in Iowa, especially in smaller rural hospitals, and rates increased during season 2. The successful voluntary approach for reporting influenza vaccination rates that we describe provides an efficient platform for collecting and disseminating other statewide measures of healthcare quality.

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Influenza vaccination: a multi-modal approach to increase compliance in an italian teaching hospital

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckz186.528 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽

Author(s):

D Celotto ◽

F Malacarne ◽

C Battistella ◽

F G Bucci ◽

F Antinolfi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Medical Doctor ◽

University Hospital ◽

Intervention Programme ◽

Vaccination Rates ◽

Immunization Rates ◽

Health Authorities ◽

Educational Meetings

Abstract Issue Influenza vaccination of Healthcare workers (HCW) has a key role in avoiding flu transmission among patients and HCWs and is annually recommended by health authorities. Despite the 75% target identified by WHO, coverage is still inadequate in many European countries. Description of the problem The Infection Control Team and Public Health Residents of a University Hospital annually cooperate to actively offer flu shots directly in the Units, but in 2017-18 campaign only 12,1% of HCWs took advantage of the service. From July to December 2018 a composite intervention was performed to increase immunization rates. In each Unit a medical doctor and a nurse (midwife for the Obstetrics unit) were identified as Link Professionals (LPs).Two educational meetings with Infectious Diseases and Public Health experts were organized for LPs to deal with their hesitancies and to engage them for the vaccination promotion among colleagues.The calendar (2/week ambulatory + 16 in-ward appointments), tailored to maximise the HCW accessibility, was sent to medical consultants and head of departments, to all physicians, and to head nurses for dissemination. Promotional posters and videos were displayed across the hospital. Results Educational meetings were attended by 130 LPs. A total of 772/3420 HCW took advantage of the 2018-19 active campaign (22,6%), with a significant increase from the previous year (+10,4%; 95%CI 8,7-12,2; p < 0,001). The immunization rates raised in all HCWs categories: 279/660 doctors (it was 167/660 in 2017-18; +17.0%; 95%CI 11,9-21.9; p < 0,001); 303/1615 nurses (150/1615 in 2017-18; +9.5%; 95%CI 7.1-11-9; p < 0,001); 13/43 midwives (2/43 in 2017-18; +25,6%; 95%CI 9.7-40.8; p = 0,002). Lessons Despite the significant increase,further efforts are necessary to reach the WHO target rate. All HCWs categories were positively affected by the multi-modal intervention. LPs seem to play an important role in promoting vaccination among colleagues, in a peer-to-peer trust relationship. Key messages Influenza vaccination rates needs to be increased in healthcare workers for their protection and for patient safety. A well-structured multi-modal intervention programme involving prepared HCW promoters into wards is essential to increase compliance.

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Should influenza vaccination be mandatory for healthcare workers?

Healthcare Management Forum ◽

10.1177/0840470418794209 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 31 (5) ◽

pp. 214-217 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Nikolija Lukich ◽

Michael Kekewich ◽

Virginia Roth

Keyword(s):

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Healthcare Organizations ◽

Medical Field ◽

Public Health Perspective ◽

Vaccination Programs ◽

The Past ◽

Immunization Rates ◽

Mandatory Vaccination ◽

Personal Interests

Each year, many healthcare organizations deal with low influenza immunization rates among staff. Mandatory influenza vaccination programs may be considered in order to address this issue. These types of programs have caused controversy in the past, as staff has argued that they infringe upon their liberties and right to autonomy. However, if viewed from a public health perspective, mandatory vaccination programs are beneficial for both employees and patients and can be justified. When individuals make the decision to work in the medical field, it is assumed that their values align with those of the organization for which they work. This overrides their right to autonomy, since they are expected to put the safety of their patients ahead of their own personal interests. Although some may argue that receiving a flu shot is unsafe, evidence has demonstrated the opposite, and the minimal discomfort that may result from a vaccine is not enough to negate the responsibilities that healthcare workers have toward the patients they serve.

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Promotion of the influenza vaccination to hospital staff during pre-employment health check: a prospective, randomised, controlled trial

Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology ◽

10.1186/s12995-020-00285-w ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Michael Currat ◽

Catherine Lazor-Blanchet ◽

Giorgio Zanetti

Keyword(s):

Influenza Vaccine ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Vaccination Campaign ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Vaccination Rate ◽

Health Check ◽

Control Group ◽

Vaccination Rates ◽

Newly Hired

Abstract Background Vaccination is the most effective prevention of seasonal influenza. Despite its recommendation and active promotion, vaccination coverage remains low among healthcare staff. The goal of the study was to test if a pre-employment health check is a good opportunity to promote future vaccination against influenza among healthcare workers newly hired by a university hospital. Methods All new hospital employees active at the bedside who underwent a pre-employment health check between the end of 2016’s influenza epidemic and the start of the next influenza vaccination campaign were randomly allocated to a control group or an intervention group. The intervention consisted of a semi-structured dialog and the release of an information leaflet about influenza and influenza vaccination during the check-up, and the shipment of a postcard reminder 2 weeks before the next vaccination campaign. Vaccination rates during the campaign were compared among the two groups. Results Three hundred fifty-seven employees were included. Vaccination rates were similar in both groups: 79/172 (46%) in the control and 92/185 (50%) in the intervention group. A significantly higher rate of vaccination was noted among physicians (70/117, 60%) than among other employees (101/240, 42%, p = 0.001). In a pre-defined exploratory analysis among physicians, the vaccination rate was higher in the intervention group (36/51, 71%) than in the control group (34/65, 52%, p = 0.046). Conclusions Promotion of the influenza vaccine during pre-employment health check did not improve the vaccination rate of newly hired hospital healthcare workers overall during the next influenza vaccination campaign. Results suggest a favourable impact on the vaccination rate of physicians. Thus, there may be an interest in using communication strategies tailored to the different categories of healthcare workers to promote the influenza vaccine during pre-employment health check. Trial registration ClinicalTrials, NCT02758145. Registered 26 April 2016.

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Influenza vaccination rates, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of healthcare workers in Turkey: A multicentre study

International Journal of Clinical Practice ◽

10.1111/ijcp.13659 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 75 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Nesibe Korkmaz ◽

Selçuk Nazik ◽

Raziye Ş. Gümüştakım ◽

Hanife Uzar ◽

Gülnur Kul ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multicentre Study ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Vaccination Rates

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Association of State Laws and Healthcare Workers’ Influenza Vaccination Rates

Journal of the National Medical Association ◽

10.1016/j.jnma.2015.12.013 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 108 (1) ◽

pp. 99-102 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Chyongchiou Jeng Lin ◽

Mary Patricia Nowalk ◽

Mahlon Raymund ◽

Patricia M. Sweeney ◽

Richard K. Zimmerman

Keyword(s):

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

State Laws ◽

Vaccination Rates

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Relationship of Influenza Vaccination Declination Statements and Influenza Vaccination Rates for Healthcare Workers in 22 US Hospitals

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1086/588590 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 29 (7) ◽

pp. 675-677 ◽

Cited By ~ 57

Author(s):

Philip M. Polgreen ◽

Edward J. Septimus ◽

Michael F. Parry ◽

Susan E. Beekmann ◽

Joseph E. Cavanaugh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

Vaccination Rates ◽

Relationship Of

The use of declination statements was associated with a mean increase of 11.6% in influenza vaccination rates among healthcare workers at 22 hospitals. In most hospitals, there were no negative consequences for healthcare workers who refused to sign the forms, and most policies were implemented along with other interventions designed to increase vaccination rates.

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Revised SHEA Position Paper: Influenza Vaccination of Healthcare Personnel

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1086/656558 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 31 (10) ◽

pp. 987-995 ◽

Cited By ~ 138

Author(s):

Thomas R. Talbot ◽

Hilary Babcock ◽

Arthur L. Caplan ◽

Deborah Cotton ◽

Lisa L. Maragakis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Position Paper ◽

Healthcare Personnel ◽

Executive Summary ◽

Vaccination Rates ◽

Official Statement ◽

Healthcare Epidemiology ◽

Vaccine Shortages ◽

New Evidence

Executive SummaryThis document serves as an update and companion piece to the 2005 Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) Position Paper entitled “Influenza Vaccination of Healthcare Workers and Vaccine Allocation for Healthcare Workers During Vaccine Shortages.” In large part, the discussion about the rationale for influenza vaccination of healthcare personnel (HCP), the strategies designed to improve influenza vaccination rates in this population, and the recommendations made in the 2005 paper still stand. This position paper notes new evidence released since publication of the 2005 paper and strengthens SHEA's position on the importance of influenza vaccination of HCP. This document does not discuss vaccine allocation during times of vaccine shortage, because the 2005 SHEA Position Paper still serves as the Society's official statement on that issue.

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