141st APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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Recorded Annual Meeting Presentations (RAMP) are now available for purchase.
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Online Program

286419
Increasing influenza vaccination rates in long-term healthcare workers


Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Sally Kershisniik, RN MPA MSN MSc, Family Health and Senior Services, Davis County Health Department, Farmington, UT
Rates of influenza immunization in longterm care (LTC) workers are approximately 56% in the Utah. These employees work with some of the most vulnerable populations, including the elderly, chronically ill, and disabled. To address this issue, the Davis County Health Department, Division of Family Health and Senior Services convened a task force. Members of the task force included the aging Ombudsman, Senior Services (aging) staff, Immunization Bureau manager, immunization staff, and representatives from each of the 7 longterm care facilities in Davis County. The task force decided to test several interventions including on-site Health Department declination, incentives to LTC staff, and increase education and outreach efforts. Pre and post test surveys were conducted to assess healthcare workers attitudes and beliefs. The results revealed that rates of influenza immunization increase in 5 of the 7 LTC facilities. The rates increased above 92% in 3 of the facilities and above 80% in 2 of the facilities.

Learning Areas:

Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Ethics, professional and legal requirements
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Provision of health care to the public
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Describe interventions to increase rates of influenza immunization in long-term care healthcare workers.

Keyword(s): Disease Prevention, Long-Term Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have over 35 years of public health experience. I also direct the Area Agency on Aging for Davis County. I have directed and worked in the immunization program for over 20 years. I am a past member of NACCHO's National Immunization Sub Committee. I participate and the State of Utah Adult Immunization Coalition. I hold a MSN, MPA and MSc in Gerontology. I am a Registered Nurse with over 35 years of experience.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4256.4: Public Health Policy and Aging