Different Techniques Help To Increase Influenza Immunization

Abstract

ISSUE: Transmission of Influenza from staff to patients and co-workers can create serious population health care problems. Vaccination is an important method of preventing influenza and its severe complications. Per CDC fewer than 40% of health care workers are immunized each year. PROJECT: Since 2002 our hospital rate of staff being immunized has been above the national average. Our Infection Control Committee chose to have 90% of staff immunized for 2005. Previous years education was the main resource to encourage staff to be immunized. Our group developed techniques to involve all departments to encourage each other to take the flu vaccine. The Infection Control Committee became the F.B.I (Flu Bug Immunized) team. We were also part of the S,W.A.T. (Shriners Wellness Awareness Taskforce) team. In October we dressed in our props for Halloween (props were black t-shirts with FBI on the front and SWAT on the back). We also gave each department the name of their organism and they were to design what it appeared like on a 5 × 7 card. We then placed the cards on our "FBI Most Wanted" bulletin board. When each staff member in their department had been given the flu vaccine; their organism was captured. With the delay of obtaining the vaccines our program was placed on hold. In late November we did receive our vaccines and continued with the program. Co-workers were encouraging each other to take the vaccine so they could be "captured." Departments were in competition with each other to be "captured" first. RESULTS: We did reach our 90% goal. This included full time and per diem staff. LESSONS LEARNED: Education is very important but peer pressure by co-workers is an added benefit. Also we have decided to order our vaccine from different supplier in order to start our vaccines in October as planned.