A comprehensive staff immunization program is key to protecting employees and residents in eldercare settings, according to a new strategy article by healthcare quality advocate ECRI Institute.
“[T]he risks associated with infectious outbreaks go beyond the direct impact of illness,” wrote lead author Victor Lane Rose, MBA, NHA. “These outbreaks can simultaneously intensify resident and patient care workloads and affect continuity of staffing and scheduling.”
The report lists recommendations for maintaining staff immunity, backed by recommendations and suggestions from various federal agencies and groups. It includes an overview of who should be vaccinated and for which diseases, including flu.
The article, “Protecting Staff and Resident Health Requires a Comprehensive Staff Immunization Program – During Flu Season and Beyond,” can be found in the Annals of Long-Term Care.
