title: Voluntary reporting of employee influenza vaccination rates by acute care hospitals in Iowa: the impact of a four year provider-based statewide performance improvement project.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In 2006 a voluntary, provider-based project was initiated to improve influenza vaccination rates among healthcare workers (HCWs) employed by acute care hospitals in Iowa. The statewide vaccination target was 95% by 2010. Data from the first four influenza seasons (2006-2007, 2007-2008, 2008-2009 and 2009-2010) are presented.
  
  
  METHODS
  A website was used to submit and circulate hospital-specific influenza vaccination rates. Rates were fed back to participating hospitals from the outset and hospital-specific rates made publicly available for the last two influenza seasons.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hospital participation rates ranged from 86% in season 1 to 100% in the subsequent three seasons. Statewide median hospital employee vaccination rates trended upward from 73% in season 1 to 93% in season 4. By season 4, 35% of participating hospitals had reached or exceeded a 95% vaccination rate. In season 4 the mean employee vaccination rate of 19 hospitals reporting use of a mandatory vaccination policy was 96% vs. 87% in the 64 hospitals not using such policies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Over a 4 year period, while participating in a provider-based, voluntary project, acute care hospitals in Iowa reported significantly improved seasonal influenza vaccination rates among their employees.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. charles-helms@uiowa.edu
authors: Charles
authors: C
authors: Helms
authors: Philip
authors: P
authors: Polgreen
authors: Linnea
authors: L
authors: Polgreen
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Evans
authors: Lance L
authors: LL
authors: Roberts
authors: Gerd
authors: G
authors: Clabaugh
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Quinlisk
mesh_terms: D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control; D007484:Iowa; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines