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Wednesday, March 7, 2007 - 11:20 AM
61

It's Not Just About You: Getting the Message to Hospital-Based Healthcare Workers

Michelle Dzulynsky1, Kathy Holcomb2, Michelle De Guire2, Suzi Bouveron3, Christina Hawley2, Karina Gardea2, K. Michael Peddecord4, Kathleen W. Gustafson5, Adrienne Collins Yancey5, and Mark H. Sawyer2. (1) San Diego Hospital Influenza Immunization Partnership, UC San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, #0720, La Jolla, CA, USA, (2) San Diego Immunization Partnership, a UCSD contract with the SD County Immunization Branch, UC San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, #0720, La Jolla, CA, USA, (3) Immunization Branch, California Department of Health Services, c/o County of San Diego HHSA, Immunization Branch, 3851 Rosecrans Street, Mail Stop P511B, San Diego, CA, USA, (4) Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive MC - 4161, San Diego, CA, USA, (5) San Diego Immunization Branch, County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, PO Box 85222, Mail Stop P511B, 3851 Rosecrans Street, San Diego, CA, USA


Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
By the end of the presentation participants will be able to understand and address influenza immunization issues for hospital-based HCWs and provide better promotion for flu campaigns.

Background:
The influenza vaccine coverage rate for hospital based healthcare workers (HCWs) has historically been quite low, even though they belong to one of the priority groups recommended to be immunized. UCSD, the San Diego County Immunization Branch, and 14 area hospitals formed a partnership in 2005 to learn the methods currently used by hospitals to promote HCW flu shots, assess barriers, find ways to measure coverage rates for HCWs, then develop and share best practices with the ultimate goal of increasing HCW coverage rates.

Objectives:
Using results from study surveys conducted in the 2005-06 flu season, develop targeted and appealing promotional materials that address HCW concerns, share what worked in partner hospitals, and are adaptable to the needs of each hospital.

Methods:
A subcommittee of hospital partners and study staff reviewed HCW attitude and behavior responses from surveys and key informant interviews to identify messages that could reach HCWs. Information was gathered to answer questions and counter common misperceptions. Best practices from among the hospitals were identified, pooled or modified to describe activities that could easily be applied.

Results:
A Flu Kit based on the slogan, “It's not just about you!” was published, packaged, and distributed to partner hospitals. A 32-page booklet included a vaccine tracking form, sample declination statements, rebuttals to common objections, “how to's” for promotional ideas and more. The kit also held sample posters, flyers, plus a CD of the kit materials for downloading and duplicating. Feedback has been positive. The booklet was sent to facilities outside the partnership that requested the materials.

Conclusions:
Hospitals successfully worked together to strengthen efforts across the community and improve their own HCW flu shot campaigns.


Web Page: www.sdiz.org

See more of Understanding Why Healthcare Workers Get the Flu Vaccine and Strategies To Get Them Immunized
See more of The 41st National Immunization Conference (NIC)