Health

NFID publishes strategies to increase flu vaccination among health care workers

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted April 7, 2008

Print  |   Email  |   Respond  |   Reprints  |   Like Facebook  |   Share Twitter  |   Tweet Linkedin

Health care facilities can up the number of employees immunized against influenza by harnessing the energy of staff at every level, but no one program is a solution for all, according to "Immunizing Healthcare Personnel Against Influenza, A Report on Best Practices," published by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases last month.

The organization has been sounding the alarm for several years that the low rate of flu vaccination among health care workers is endangering patients. The suggestions in this report were gathered from a recent round table meeting involving other organizations, such as the American Medical Association, also interested in improving this situation.

"We've found that providers across various health care settings struggle with the same issues when it comes to immunizing staff against influenza," said Susan J. Rehm, MD, NFID's medical director.

Suggestions include establishing mobile vaccination carts, making immunizations free, launching intensive educational programs, requiring signed declinations and mandating it. Barriers include a lack of buy-in from some quarters, and employee turnover meaning that education is a constant need.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/04/07/hlbf0407.htm.

Back to top


ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISE HERE


Featured
Read story

Confronting bias against obese patients

Medical educators are starting to raise awareness about how weight-related stigma can impair patient-physician communication and the treatment of obesity. Read story


Read story

Goodbye

American Medical News is ceasing publication after 55 years of serving physicians by keeping them informed of their rapidly changing profession. Read story


Read story

Policing medical practice employees after work

Doctors can try to regulate staff actions outside the office, but they must watch what they try to stamp out and how they do it. Read story


Read story

Diabetes prevention: Set on a course for lifestyle change

The YMCA's evidence-based program is helping prediabetic patients eat right, get active and lose weight. Read story


Read story

Medicaid's muddled preventive care picture

The health system reform law promises no-cost coverage of a lengthy list of screenings and other prevention services, but some beneficiaries still might miss out. Read story


Read story

How to get tax breaks for your medical practice

Federal, state and local governments offer doctors incentives because practices are recognized as economic engines. But physicians must know how and where to find them. Read story


Read story

Advance pay ACOs: A down payment on Medicare's future

Accountable care organizations that pay doctors up-front bring practice improvements, but it's unclear yet if program actuaries will see a return on investment. Read story


Read story

Physician liability: Your team, your legal risk

When health care team members drop the ball, it's often doctors who end up in court. How can physicians improve such care and avoid risks? Read story

  • Stay informed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn