Achieving a Corporate Goal for Influenza Vaccination Using Nurse Champions

SSUE: Our medical center is a three-hospital system with 913 licensed beds and 5826 employees. While employee influenza vaccination has been a focus for the Infection Control Committee and the Epidemiology Department for many years, employee vaccination rates had only reached approximately 30%. In 2003 administration set a corporate goal to achieve a 50% vaccination rate among patient-contact employees. PROJECT: In summer 2003, the nursing Retention and Recognition Council (R&R) members were asked to act as champions for the employee influenza vaccination campaign. R&R membership consists of clinical registered nurses (RNs) from each nursing department (about 40 members). A training session was held with R&R to provide materials members could use to educate others. Members also agreed to vaccinate fellow employees in clinical departments. This allowed employee health nurses to focus attention on departmental visits in other areas. In addition to receiving the vaccine in nursing departments and employee health, employees could receive the vaccine in the emergency department during off-hours. R&R nurses were also responsible for documenting vaccination and submitting documentation to employee health for recordkeeping. Managers supported staff nurse administration of vaccine to limit time away from patient care. Posters and badges were developed by the marketing department to advertise the vaccination campaign. Administrative staff received departmental vaccination rates during the campaign. Individuals and departments who were successful in reaching the corporate goal were eligible to receive an award. RESULTS: Employee vaccination rates increased to 55% in clinical areas (47% hospital-wide). The R&R plans to adopt this as an ongoing program. LESSONS LEARNED: Having a team of clinical RN champions to implement the program at the department level encouraged other employees to receive the vaccine. Some employees preferred vaccination by a peer. Disseminating vaccine to clinical nursing departments made the vaccination process more convenient for employees and supported continuity of patient care.