H1N1 Forum Gaining Momentum
- 1/19/2010
- Author: Janet Pimentel
- Category: The Source Blog
- 22202 Views
- 2 Comments
I’m impressed with the comments that have already been posted on the H1N1 electronic forum that The Joint Commission launched in mid-December. In case you haven’t heard, the January 2010 issue of The Source had an article about how this new forum was established for health care organizations to freely exchange information about challenges associated with the H1N1 pandemic and the seasonal flu. This forum is worth checking out because participants have already begun exchanging thoughtful ideas about this challenging issue. Participants are sharing ideas on how they are preparing for a possible third wave of H1N1 flu anticipated to peak during January and February. Participants are also warning others not to be “lulled” into a false sense of security that “it’s over” because the Centers for Disease and Prevention is still providing information and reminding organizations that the virus is still circulating globally.
Health care organizations have also expressed concerns that their staff members are not taking the hint and receiving their vaccinations. One organization even had its chief officer send out a special memo to staff, but the compliance rate for vaccinations didn’t increase as expected. I was proud to see that one forum participant commented that The Joint Commission’s free monograph, called Providing a Safer Environment for Health Care Personnel and Patients Through Influenza Vaccination, has some good ideas on how to improve influenza vaccination rates. If you have time, check out this forum and share some ideas that have been successful at your organization.
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User Comments
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On
1/21/2010
Janet Pimentel
said:
Hello Michelle!
Thank you for sharing your opinion about the H1N1 forum. I think the primary reasons you mention are deterring some health care professionals from receiving vaccinations. If you are looking for examples to motivate staff, check out the free monograph that I mentioned in the blog. It is easy to download from The Joint Commission's Web site and contains a lot of how-to examples that were effective at different health care organizations. You might be able to use one of those ideas or perhaps they can help you brainstorm something unique for your organization. I also appreciate that you are checking out my blog as part of an assignment for a BSN program. I'll keep that in mind when I pick future blog topics.
On
1/21/2010
Michelle Olson
said:
I am reading this blog as part of an assignment for a BSN prgram. This site was very interesting to me as I am a nurse manager in a health care system that is trying to increase employee engagement with receiving the H1N1 vaccine. Fear of the unknown and complacency about the lower number of cases at this time seem to be the primary reasons. I read an article in our local newspaper today that discussed the current declining rate of H1N1 cases. This was concerning as the article didn't mention the availabiltiy of the vaccine and the possibilty of another wave of infection.
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