WASHINGTON, May 6 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the unacceptably low influenza immunization rates among health care workers, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) today issued specific recommendations that call on health care facilities to develop and implement comprehensive influenza vaccination programs for employees. APIC’s new recommendations were published in the May issue of the American Journal of Injection Control (AJIC).
Only 36 percent of health care workers receive an annual influenza vaccination despite long-standing recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other organizations(1). Health care workers* are at high risk for acquiring influenza infection due to their exposure to ill patients as well as their exposure in the community. Health care workers infected with influenza can spread the virus to patients in their care.(2,3) Research, in fact, suggests health care workers can be a key source of institutional outbreaks, contributing to increased morbidity and mortality among vulnerable patients.(4,5)
“Greater emphasis needs to be placed on improving influenza immunization rates among health care workers to help ensure patient safety and protection-especially for patients at increased risk of influenza-related complications,” said APIC President Jeanne A. Pfeiffer, RN, MPH, CIC. “Immunization also provides personal protection for health care workers and minimizes workforce absenteeism during the influenza season.”
Health care workers encounter patients throughout the influenza season in a variety of settings, including medical practices, general hospitals, specialty hospitals, pediatric hospitals, long-term care facilities, emergency departments, ambulatory care settings, rehabilitation facilities and homecare sites.
Studies show health care workers are more likely to work through illness and return to work sooner when they are ill, thus increasing the likelihood of virus transmission to patients in their care and co-workers. In addition, institutional influenza outbreaks can have serious implications for both the patient and health care provider. These events can put patients at risk, result in or exacerbate existing staff shortages, curtail admissions, and increase health care costs.(6,7,8,9)
Vaccination is the primary means of reducing influenza transmission and preventing infection from the influenza virus. Each year the infection causes an average of 36,000 deaths and 114,000 hospitalizations in the United States.(1)
“Health care facilities have an important role to play in maximizing influenza vaccination rates in health care workers,” said Ms. Pfeiffer. “Every facility should develop and implement comprehensive influenza vaccination programs for employees.”
Role of Health Care Facilities: APIC Recommendations
APIC recommends that all health care facilities develop and implement comprehensive influenza vaccination programs for employees. Highlights of APIC’s new recommendations include:
-- Preparing a written policy stressing the need and importance of annual influenza vaccination annually for health care workers -- Implementing influenza immunization programs annually, including health care worker education on influenza vaccination -- Monitoring annual immunization rates and providing feedback regarding program success -- Increasing access to vaccination by removing associated costs and making vaccine easily accessible -- Facilitating administration of vaccination to health care workers in all settings
APIC’s position statement on health care worker influenza immunization is available online at http://www.apic.org/.
APIC’s Initiative To Increase Influenza Vaccination Rates Among Health Care Workers
APIC initiated a multi-faceted initiative in January 2004 aimed at increasing influenza immunization rates among health care workers. As a result, APIC is completing a membership survey to assess the state of employee influenza immunization programs at members’ institutions across the country. In addition, APIC is developing new resources for infection control professionals and other health care providers that will help encourage institutions to implement formal influenza control policies. APIC’s initiative, including the survey results and new professional resources, will be highlighted at its 31st Annual Educational Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, on June 9, 2004.
APIC is a nonprofit professional association comprised of more than 10,000 members whose responsibility is the prevention and control of infections and related adverse outcomes in patients and health care workers. APIC promotes wellness and prevents illness and infection worldwide by advancing health care epidemiology through education, research, collaboration, practice and credentialing. APIC’s vision is to improve the health of people worldwide by serving as the preeminent voice for excellence in the prevention and control of infections and related disease outcomes.
* The term “health care worker” extends to all personnel who have contact with patients, both medical and non-medical, as all can transmit virus to patients. (1) CDC. Prevention and control of influenza: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP). MMWR. 2004;53 (Early Release): 1-39. (2) Horcajada JP, Pumarola T, Martinez JA, et al. A nosocomial outbreak of influenza during a period without influenza epidemic activity. Eur Respir J. 2003;21:303-7. (3) Salgado CD, Farr BM, Hall KK, Hayden FG. Influenza in the acute hospital setting. Lancet. 2002;2(3):145-55. (4) Malavaud S, Malavaud B, Sanders K, et al. Nosocomial outbreak of influenza virus A (H3N2) infection in a solid organ transplant department. Transplantation. 2001;72(3):535-7. (5) CDC. Outbreak of influenza A in a nursing home-New York, Dec. 1991- Jan. 1992. MMWR. 1992; Feb 4(18):129-131. (6) Sartor C, Zandotti C, Romain F, et al. Disruption of services in an internal medicine unit due to a nosocomial influenza outbreak. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2002;23(10):615-9. (7) Lundstrom T, Pugliese G, Bartley J, Cox J, Guither C. Organizational and environmental factors that affect worker health and safety and patient outcomes. Am J Infect Control. 2002;30:93-106. (8) Robert J, Fridkin SK, Blumberg HM, et al. The influence of the composition of the nursing staff on primary bloodstream infection rates in surgical intensive case unit. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2000;21(1):12-7. (9) Aloso-Echanoce J, Edwards JR, Richards MJ, et al. Effect of nurse staffing and antimicrobial-impregnated central venous catheters in the risk for bloodstream infections in intensive care units. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2003; 24(12):916-25. Contact: Heather Carman 212/886-2200
Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology
CONTACT: Heather Carman, +1-212-886-2200, for Association forProfessionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology
Web site: http://www.apic.org/
