Partnering with nursing service improves health care worker influenza vaccination rates.
BACKGROUND
Increasing the influenza vaccination rate in health care workers (HCWs) promotes patient safety as well as employee health. The average HCW influenza vaccination rate is approximately 35%. Various studies have analyzed the reasons for the low vaccination rate in HCWs and developed strategies aimed at increasing this rate.


METHODS
At the study hospital, the Nursing Department was contacted to recruit influenza (flu) coordinators from the various hospital departments to coordinate administration of influenza vaccinations in their respective departments, with the aim of increasing HCW vaccination rates. The flu coordinators received education about the influenza vaccine along with lists of employees, vaccination supplies, and consent/declination forms. Each flu coordinator was responsible for contacting the employees in his or her department/unit. Both consent and declination responses were documented.


RESULTS
Of the hospital's 3238 employees (including physicians), a total of 2534 were contacted (78%). Of these, 2008 consented to receive the influenza vaccine and 526 declined. This represented a 37% increase in the total number of HCWs contacted and a 20% increase in vaccine recipients over the previous influenza season.


CONCLUSIONS
Partnering with the Nursing Department increased the accessibility to and acceptance of influenza vaccination among HCWs. The HCWs reported positive experiences about receiving the vaccine in the work environment.
Epidemiology Department, The Christ Hospital, 2139 Auburn Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45219, USA. Mary.nicholson@thechristhospital.com
Mary R
MR
Nicholson
Deborah M
DM
Hayes
Anita M
AM
Bennett
D006282:Health Personnel; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009739:Nursing Services; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D007252:Influenza Vaccines