Most ED nurses aren't getting the flu shot
According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only about 40% of health care workers are vaccinated each year for influenza.1
Unvaccinated nurses can spread the flu virus to patients, including those at high risk for severe complications, says the CDC. The CDC has called for stronger steps to increase influenza vaccination of health care workers.
In addition, your ED will be required by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations to offer the flu vaccine on site and give education to staff as of Jan. 1, 2007.
The reasons nurses usually give for refusing vaccination are the perception that they pose no risk to patients, fear of vaccine side effects, fear of needles, or belief that the vaccine causes the flu, according to the CDC.
At St. Vincent Healthcare's ED in Billings, MO, almost every nurse gets the flu vaccine each year, reports Patricia Laufmann, RN, director of emergency services. Occupational health makes rounds in the ED to give vaccine to nurses and also has "clinic" times that they are available in a conference room by the cafeteria.
"Last year, pharmacy stocked doses of the vaccine in our ED, and the manager or I could give it to staff as they came on shift," says Laufmann. "We kept a running log of the batch number and staff getting immunized." Other than those that couldn't receive the vaccine due to allergies, almost 100% of ED staff was immunized.
"It was very successful. I credit our pharmacy and occupational health, for making such an effort to cover everyone in a manner most helpful to our work lives," says Laufmann. "ED nurses will take advantage of things that are quick and easy, but if we have to leave the department and go somewhere else, forget it. It's hard enough to even get away for lunch."
References
- Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention. Estimated influenza vaccination coverage among adults and children — United States, September 1, 2004-January 1, 2005. MMWR 2005; 54:304-307.
Sources
For more information about influenza vaccination and ED nurses, contact:
- Patricia Laufmann, RN, Director, Emergency Services, St. Vincent Healthcare, P.O. Box 35200, Billings, MO 59107. Telephone: (406) 237-4145. E-mail: [email protected].
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers brochures for nurses and nurse managers that can be downloaded at no charge at www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/flugallery/index.htm. The site also contains free printable educational materials for promoting the influenza vaccination for the upcoming 2006-2007 flu season. Posters in English and Spanish also can be ordered free of charge.
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