Influenza vaccination in long-term-care facilities: structuring programs for success.
OBJECTIVE
To determine which influenza vaccination program characteristics were associated with high resident vaccination rates in Canadian long-term-care facilities (LTCFs).


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey consisting of a mailed questionnaire conducted in spring 1991.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
McArthur
M A
MA
Department of Microbiology, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Simor
A E
AE
Campbell
B
B
McGeer
A
A
D000368:Aged; D002170:Canada; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D017053:Infection Control; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008134:Long-Term Care; D016730:Program Development; D012866:Skilled Nursing Facilities; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D007252:Influenza Vaccines