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Mandatory Influenza Immunization of Healthcare Providers

Mandatory Influenza Immunization of Healthcare Providers. Mel Reppen, RN, CIC St. Mary’s Hospital Madison, WI. Mandatory Influenza Vaccination Policy. SSM system-wide policy Originated from system Human Resources Applies to ALL system employees Employed physicians Volunteers

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Mandatory Influenza Immunization of Healthcare Providers

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  1. Mandatory Influenza Immunization of Healthcare Providers Mel Reppen, RN, CIC St. Mary’s Hospital Madison, WI

  2. Mandatory Influenza Vaccination Policy • SSM system-wide policy • Originated from system Human Resources • Applies to • ALL system employees • Employed physicians • Volunteers • Students, vendors, contractors

  3. Mandatory Influenza Vaccination • Policy • Employees, employed physicians and volunteers will be required to be vaccinated (against influenza) or provide a medical or religious waiver by December 1 of each calendar year • Medical waiver must be signed by the individual’s health care provider each calendar year • Religious waiver must be signed by the individual’s religious/spiritual leader; need not be renewed annually • Vaccine will be provided free of charge at various times (ie, throughout flu season) to allow for 100% compliance • Those who are exempted from vaccination (by waiver) are required to wear a mask when working in patient care areas or when they are within 3 feet of patients during influenza season

  4. Communication to Employees • Policy rolled out to entire system in September 2011 • Policy distributed to all system leaders • FAQs to address employee questions or concerns • St. Mary’s policy roll out • ‘Key Points’ developed to assist in summarizing the recommendations for implementation • When does influenza season start? • When will St. Mary’s implement use of masks? • What kind of masks will be required for those who are unimmunized? • What areas are considered “patient care areas”?

  5. So, how’d we do?

  6. Assessment • Consistency of message helped • Administration, Human Resources, Employee Health and Infection Control all on same page • Relatively small number of ‘complaints’ • EHS/IC open door policy for employees with concerns • Supportive evidence was available • One-to-one counseling, if needed • HR policy (noncompliance) • Nobody lost their job as a result (to my knowledge) • Some volunteers took the ‘flu season’ off rather than be immunized • EHS issue: documentation of vaccine received elsewhere

  7. Final Thoughts • Start early • Be transparent - distribute policy widely • Clearly stated expectations • Articulate consequences of noncompliance • Anticipate questions & have answers ready …I wish we would have done this long ago

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