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Implementing a Successful Hepatitis B Vaccination Program

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Linda J. Hanacik ,
Timothy R. Franson ,
Jill D. Gollup  and
Michael W. Rytel
Linda J. Hanacik*
Affiliation:
Froedterl Memorial Lutheran Hospital andThe Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Timothy R. Franson
Affiliation:
Froedterl Memorial Lutheran Hospital andThe Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Jill D. Gollup
Affiliation:
Froedterl Memorial Lutheran Hospital andThe Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Michael W. Rytel
Affiliation:
Froedterl Memorial Lutheran Hospital andThe Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
*
Nurse Epidemiologist, Froedterl Memorial Lutheran Hospital, 9200 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53226
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Abstract

Health care personnel with frequent blood contact are at high risk for being exposed to and developing hepatitis B infection. Exposure to unidentified infectious patients may lead to personnel inadvertently foregoing appropriate, passive immunoprophylaxis. For these reasons, our hospital elected to conduct an aggressive program to administer hepatitis B vaccine to all employees at high risk for exposure to hepatitis B virus, thus protecting such employees from inadvertent occupational exposure. Administrators agreed to offer the vaccine as a free employee health benefit. “High-risk” employees attended mandatory inservice presentations covering hepatitis B disease, vaccine safety and efficacy, and related concerns. High-risk individuals were required to either receive vaccine or sign “informed refusal” forms. The vaccine clinic was organized to accommodate employee work schedules. Of high-risk employees eligible for vaccination, 90% completed a three-dose vaccine course. Extensive inservice education, financial and administrative support, and careful advance planning are all crucial in achieving high compliance with vaccination programs. A description of key steps in designing a successful vaccination program is outlined.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 6 , Issue 8 , August 1985 , pp. 306 - 309
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1985

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