In a letter sent out to all med center faculty, staff and students Thursday, Daniel DeBehnke, M.D., CEO of Nebraska Medicine, and Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., chancellor of UNMC, share the following information about influenza vaccination for 2016-17:
Flu season is fast approaching. As a world-renowned leader in health care, we know vaccination the single best means to protect our patients, our employees and health care providers — as well as our community and families.
Many U.S. hospitals mandate influenza vaccination and require it as a condition for employment. In years past, the vast majority of our workforce has chosen to be vaccinated because it is the right thing to do for everyone. We expect that to continue this year as well.
Our online influenza vaccine verification allows colleagues to indicate their choice of vaccination:
- receipt of vaccine
- reason for vaccine declination
- vaccination received elsewhere
100 percent of health care providers, students and employees are expected to document their vaccination status in the campus verification system.
Our goal is that 90 percent or more of our employees and health care providers will receive the influenza vaccine. The Joint Commission has implemented an initiative to increase influenza vaccination in health care institutions. In addition, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services (CMS) requires facilities to submit influenza vaccination rates annually. In order to comply with these programs, we must collect and report the data that will be captured in the campus-wide verification system.
Find the flu vaccination clinic that works for you.
If you don’t think you need the vaccination, watch Julie’s story and John’s story.
Be an advocate for patients. Beginning Oct. 1 all inpatient nursing staff is reminded to screen and vaccinate inpatients for influenza before discharge.