Abstract
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommend that all healthcare workers (HCW) receive influenza vaccination annually and consider it the most effective method for preventing influenza infection and its complications (CDC, 2010). Influenza causes about 226,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths in the United States each year (CDC). However, 60% of registered nurses do not comply with these recommended vaccination guidelines (CDC, 2006), and it is disturbing that vaccination rates are lower among registered nurses than other types of HCW (Ofstead, Tucker, Beebe, & Poland, 2008). An integrative review encompassing international research was conducted to explore factors that influence nurses' decisions to receive or decline influenza vaccination. The Health Belief Model provided the framework for analyzing and reporting the results. Findings indicated that concerns about the vaccine's safety and efficacy are major barriers and that a lack of understanding of the vaccine's role in high-risk patient protection exists. Recommendations to improve vaccination rates include rigorous education specific to nursing personnel on vaccine efficacy and safety in addition to safeguarding patients. This proposed presentation will (a) overview the research, emphasizing patient safety implications and factors that contribute to the professional and personal influenza vaccination practices of registered nurses; (b) recommend strategies to improve vaccination rates among nurses; and (c) discuss implications for registered nurses, in particular occupational, public, and school health nurses. References: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010). Key Facts about Seasonal Flu Vaccine. Retrieved from http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/vaccination/index.html Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2006). Influenza: Self-reported vaccination coverage trends 1989-2006. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/pdf/vaccinetrend.pdf Ofstead, C. L., Tucker, S. J., Beebe, T. J., & Poland, G. A. (2008). Influenza vaccination among registered nurses: Information receipt, knowledge, and decision-making at an institution with a multifaceted educational program. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, 29(2), 99-106.
Sigma Membership
Unknown
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
N/A
Research Approach
N/A
Keywords:
Nurses' Beliefs, Vaccination, Influenza
Recommended Citation
Mullaney, Susan M. and Toronto, Coleen E., "Registered nurses and influenza vaccination: Changing mindsets and improving compliance to foster global health" (2012). Convention. 148.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/convention/2011/presentations_2011/148
Conference Name
41st Biennial Convention
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Grapevine, Texas, USA
Conference Year
2011
Rights Holder
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Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Registered nurses and influenza vaccination: Changing mindsets and improving compliance to foster global health
Grapevine, Texas, USA
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommend that all healthcare workers (HCW) receive influenza vaccination annually and consider it the most effective method for preventing influenza infection and its complications (CDC, 2010). Influenza causes about 226,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths in the United States each year (CDC). However, 60% of registered nurses do not comply with these recommended vaccination guidelines (CDC, 2006), and it is disturbing that vaccination rates are lower among registered nurses than other types of HCW (Ofstead, Tucker, Beebe, & Poland, 2008). An integrative review encompassing international research was conducted to explore factors that influence nurses' decisions to receive or decline influenza vaccination. The Health Belief Model provided the framework for analyzing and reporting the results. Findings indicated that concerns about the vaccine's safety and efficacy are major barriers and that a lack of understanding of the vaccine's role in high-risk patient protection exists. Recommendations to improve vaccination rates include rigorous education specific to nursing personnel on vaccine efficacy and safety in addition to safeguarding patients. This proposed presentation will (a) overview the research, emphasizing patient safety implications and factors that contribute to the professional and personal influenza vaccination practices of registered nurses; (b) recommend strategies to improve vaccination rates among nurses; and (c) discuss implications for registered nurses, in particular occupational, public, and school health nurses. References: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010). Key Facts about Seasonal Flu Vaccine. Retrieved from http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/vaccination/index.html Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2006). Influenza: Self-reported vaccination coverage trends 1989-2006. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/pdf/vaccinetrend.pdf Ofstead, C. L., Tucker, S. J., Beebe, T. J., & Poland, G. A. (2008). Influenza vaccination among registered nurses: Information receipt, knowledge, and decision-making at an institution with a multifaceted educational program. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, 29(2), 99-106.
Description
41st Biennial Convention - 29 October-2 November 2011. Theme: People and Knowledge: Connecting for Global Health. Held at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center.