OBJECTIVE: To ascertain which components of healthcare worker (HCW) influenza vaccination programs are associated with higher vaccination rates. DESIGN: Survey. SETTING: University-affiliated hospitals. METHODS: Participating hospitals were surveyed with regard to their institutional HCW influenza vaccination program for the 2007-2008 influenza season. Topics assessed included vaccination adherence and availability, use of declination statements, education methods, accountability, and data reporting. Factors associated with higher vaccination rates were ascertained. RESULTS: Fifty hospitals representing 368,696 HCWs participated in the project. The median vaccination rate was 55.0% (range, 25.6%-80.6%); however, the types of HCWs targeted by vaccination programs varied. Programs with the following components had significantly higher vaccination rates: weekend provision of vaccine (58.8% in those with this feature vs 43.9% in those without; P = .01), train-the-trainer programs (59.5% vs 46.5%; P = .005), report of vaccination rates to administrators (57.2% vs 48.1%; P = .04) or to the board of trustees (63.9% vs 53.4%; P = .01), a letter sent to employees emphasizing the importance of vaccination (59.3% vs 47%; P = .01), and any form of visible leadership support (57.9% vs 36.9%; P = .01). Vaccination rates were not significantly different between facilities that did and those that did not require a signed declination form for HCWs who refused vaccination (56.9% vs 55.1%; P = .68), although the precise content of such statements varied. CONCLUSIONS: Vaccination programs that emphasized accountability to the highest levels of the organization, provided weekend access to vaccination, and used train-the-trainer programs had higher vaccination coverage. Of concern, the types of HCWs targeted by vaccination programs differed, and uniform definitions will be essential in the event of public reporting of vaccination rates.
OBJECTIVE: To ascertain which components of healthcare worker (HCW) influenza vaccination programs are associated with higher vaccination rates. DESIGN: Survey. SETTING: University-affiliated hospitals. METHODS: Participating hospitals were surveyed with regard to their institutional HCW influenza vaccination program for the 2007-2008 influenza season. Topics assessed included vaccination adherence and availability, use of declination statements, education methods, accountability, and data reporting. Factors associated with higher vaccination rates were ascertained. RESULTS: Fifty hospitals representing 368,696 HCWs participated in the project. The median vaccination rate was 55.0% (range, 25.6%-80.6%); however, the types of HCWs targeted by vaccination programs varied. Programs with the following components had significantly higher vaccination rates: weekend provision of vaccine (58.8% in those with this feature vs 43.9% in those without; P = .01), train-the-trainer programs (59.5% vs 46.5%; P = .005), report of vaccination rates to administrators (57.2% vs 48.1%; P = .04) or to the board of trustees (63.9% vs 53.4%; P = .01), a letter sent to employees emphasizing the importance of vaccination (59.3% vs 47%; P = .01), and any form of visible leadership support (57.9% vs 36.9%; P = .01). Vaccination rates were not significantly different between facilities that did and those that did not require a signed declination form for HCWs who refused vaccination (56.9% vs 55.1%; P = .68), although the precise content of such statements varied. CONCLUSIONS: Vaccination programs that emphasized accountability to the highest levels of the organization, provided weekend access to vaccination, and used train-the-trainer programs had higher vaccination coverage. Of concern, the types of HCWs targeted by vaccination programs differed, and uniform definitions will be essential in the event of public reporting of vaccination rates.
Authors: Elizabeth Bryce; Joanne Embree; Gerald Evans; Lynn Johnston; Kevin Katz; Allison McGeer; Dorothy Moore; Virginia Roth; Andrew Simor; Kathryn Suh; Mary Vearncombe Journal: Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol Date: 2012 Impact factor: 2.471
Authors: Jan E Patterson; Jose Cadena; Teresa Prigmore; Jason Bowling; Beth Ann Ayala; Leni Kirkman; Amruta Parekh; Theresa Scepanski Journal: Trans Am Clin Climatol Assoc Date: 2011