Preventing nosocomial influenza by improving the vaccine acceptance rate of clinicians.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effects of interventions to prevent transmission of influenza and to increase employee compliance with influenza vaccination.


METHODS
The change in the proportion of hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed nosocomial influenza was observed over time and assessed using chi-square for trend analysis. The association between nosocomial influenza in patients and healthcare worker (HCW) compliance with vaccine was assessed by logistic regression.


METHODS
A 600-bed, tertiary-care academic hospital.


METHODS
After an outbreak of influenza A at this hospital in 1988, a mobile cart program was instituted with increased efforts to motivate employees to be vaccinated and furloughed when ill as well as new measures to prevent nosocomial spread.


RESULTS
HCW vaccination rates increased from 4% in 1987-1988 to 67% in 1999-2000 (P < .0001). Proportions of nosocomially acquired influenza cases among employees or patients both declined significantly (P < .0001). Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant inverse association between HCW compliance with vaccination and the rate of nosocomial influenza among patients (P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
A mobile cart vaccination program and an increased emphasis on HCWs to receive the vaccine were associated with a significant increase in vaccine acceptance and a significant decrease in the rate of nosocomial influenza among patients.
Salgado
Cassandra D
CD
Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA.
Giannetta
Eve T
ET
Hayden
Frederick G
FG
Farr
Barry M
BM
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015994:Incidence; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016015:Logistic Models; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014768:Virginia / Q000453:epidemiology
D007252:Influenza Vaccines