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Preventing Nosocomial Influenza by Improving the Vaccine Acceptance Rate of Clinicians

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Cassandra D. Salgado ,
Eve T. Giannetta ,
Frederick G. Hayden  and
Barry M. Farr
Cassandra D. Salgado*
Affiliation:
Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
Eve T. Giannetta
Affiliation:
University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia.
Frederick G. Hayden
Affiliation:
University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia.
Barry M. Farr
Affiliation:
University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia.
*
Hospital Epidemiologist, Medical University of South Carolina, 100 Doughty Street, Suite 210 BA/IOP, Charleston, SC 29425
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Abstract

Objectives:

To assess the effects of interventions to prevent transmission of influenza and to increase employee compliance with influenza vaccination.

Design:

The change in the proportion of hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed nosocomial influenza was observed over time and assessed using chi-square for trend analysis. The association between nosocomial influenza in patients and healthcare worker (HCW) compliance with vaccine was assessed by logistic regression.

Setting:

A 600-bed, tertiary-care academic hospital.

Methods:

After an outbreak of influenza A at this hospital in 1988, a mobile cart program was instituted with increased efforts to motivate employees to be vaccinated and furloughed when ill as well as new measures to prevent nosocomial spread.

Results:

HCW vaccination rates increased from 4% in 1987–1988 to 67% in 1999–2000 (P < .0001). Proportions of nosocomially acquired influenza cases among employees or patients both declined significantly (P < .0001). Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant inverse association between HCW compliance with vaccination and the rate of nosocomial influenza among patients (P < .001).

Conclusion:

A mobile cart vaccination program and an increased emphasis on HCWs to receive the vaccine were associated with a significant increase in vaccine acceptance and a significant decrease in the rate of nosocomial influenza among patients.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 25 , Issue 11 , November 2004 , pp. 923 - 928
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2004

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