Declination Feedback Enhancement of Influenza Vaccination Processes

Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
Identify common healthcare worker declination reasons
Describe feedback mechanisms used to enhance compliance with immunization
Identify opportunities to influence vaccination education

Background:
Healthcare personnel (HCP) who decline influenza vaccination have common reasons that are described in the literature and can influence their continued refusal to be vaccinated. Soliciting voluntary feedback for declination supports ongoing communication with potential vaccinees. Declination reasons can be used by healthcare providers in an e-learning system to enhance educational programs for HCP, and influence their decision to obtain an influenza immunization.

Setting:
All healthcare settings

Population:
Healthcare personnel

Project Description:
HCP participate in an influenza vaccination e-learning education program, including declination. Education includes basic details on influenza, influenza vaccination and how to prevent transmission of the flu. Declination responses are voluntary and are tallied, and then grouped by common reason or theme. Literature and industry supporting documentation are identified and shared.
E-learning opportunities are enhanced by eliciting a specific response in relation to each reason for declination. Specific responses include supporting studies, literature and other resources to educate HCP regarding the reason they declined.
Other opportunities for enhancements are provided by Unit based flu champions; fellow HCP who are trained in the flu, flu vaccination and common reasons for declination. These unit based champions administer flu vaccine to HCP influencing vaccination rates with data dispelling myths and convenient access to immunization.

Results/Lessons Learned:
Declination reasons are an important part of the immunization process. Personalized feedback can be used to influence individual HCP to make informed decisions regarding vaccination. Increasing HCP flu vaccination prevents transmission of influenza in the healthcare setting, thus promoting health care worker and patient safety.