Perceptions of participating emergency nurses regarding an ED seasonal influenza vaccination program.
BACKGROUND
Numerous professional organizations have recommended that emergency departments provide influenza vaccine to patients. However, no study has reported on the perceptions of participating emergency nurses regarding ED influenza vaccination programs.


METHODS
We conducted an anonymous Web-based survey to assess the post-participation perceptions of emergency nurses regarding an ED influenza vaccination protocol. The vaccination protocol occurred at an urban, academic emergency department and was designed to be performed by emergency nurses without added staffing resources by using ED Electronic Medical Record technology. Data from the Web-based survey were analyzed using descriptive statistics and χ(2) analysis to assess significant associations of where emergency nurses believed the protocol was time inefficient.


RESULTS
The ED influenza vaccination protocol was in effect from October 1-25, 2009, with 3091 eligible ED visits and 613 patients receiving ED seasonal influenza vaccination. Fifty-eight of 59 participating emergency nurses (98%) responded to the survey. Significant findings were that 59% of responding emergency nurses found the protocol too time consuming and believed it was inappropriate in the ED setting. Responding emergency nurses reported that protocol efficiency could be improved by adding staff, simplifying screening and vaccination documentation requirements, and improving vaccine supply and stocking procedures in the emergency department.


CONCLUSIONS
A majority of surveyed emergency nurses who had participated in an ED influenza vaccination program reported that the protocol was too time consuming and inappropriate for the ED setting. Surveyed emergency nurses expressed the opinion that such protocols required added staff, simplified patient consent/vaccination documentation requirements, and improved vaccine supply and stocking processes.
Pittsburgh, PA. Electronic address: avenkat@wpahs.org.
Arvind
A
Venkat
Pittsburgh, PA.
Roger
R
Hunter
Pittsburgh, PA.
Gajanan G
GG
Hegde
Pittsburgh, PA.
Noreen H
NH
Chan-Tompkins
Pittsburgh, PA.
David M
DM
Chuirazzi
Pittsburgh, PA.
Jillian M
JM
Szczesiul
D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D014481:United States; D014505:Urban Population; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods
D007252:Influenza Vaccines