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Improving Influenza Immunization Rates Among Healthcare Workers Caring for High-Risk Pediatric Patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Kristina A. Bryant ,
Beth Stover ,
Linda Cain ,
Gail L. Levine ,
Jane Siegel  and
William R. Jarvis
Kristina A. Bryant*
Affiliation:
University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
Beth Stover
Affiliation:
Kosair Children's Hospital, Louisville, Kentucky
Linda Cain
Affiliation:
Bellarmine University, Louisville, Kentucky
Gail L. Levine
Affiliation:
National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions, Alexandria, Virginia
Jane Siegel
Affiliation:
Children's Medical Center of Dallas, Dallas, Texas
William R. Jarvis
Affiliation:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
*
571 S. Floyd Street, Suite 321, Louisville, KY 40202
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Abstract

Objective:

To assess influenza vaccination rates of healthcare workers (HCWs) in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), pediatric intensive care units (PICUs), and oncology units in Pediatric Prevention Network (PPN) hospitals.

Participants:

Infection control practitioners and HCWs in NICUs, PICUs, and oncology units.

Methods:

In November 2000, posters, electronic copies of a slide presentation, and an influenza fact sheet were distributed to 32 of 76 PPN hospitals. In January 2001, a survey was distributed to PPN hospital participants to obtain information about the immunization campaigns. On February 7, 2001, a survey of influenza immunization was conducted among HCWs in NICU, PICU, and oncology units at participating hospitals.

Results:

Infection control practitioners from 19 (25%) of the 76 PPN hospitals completed the surveys. The median influenza immunization rate was 43% (range, 12% to 63%), with 7 hospitals exceeding 50%. HCWs (n = 1,123) at 15 PPN hospitals completed a survey; 53% of HCWs reported receiving influenza immunization. Immunization rates varied by work site: 52% in NICUs and PICUs compared with 60% in oncology units. Mobile carts and PPN educational fact cards were associated with higher rates among these subpopulations (P < .001) (361 [63%] of 575 vs 236 [44%] of 541 for mobile carts; 378 [60%] of 633 vs 219 [45%] of 483 for fact cards).

Conclusion:

Despite delayed distribution of influenza vaccine during the 2000–2001 season, immunization rates at 7 hospitals and among HCWs in high-risk units exceeded the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions goal of 50%.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 25 , Issue 11 , November 2004 , pp. 912 - 917
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2004

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