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							OCTOBER X, 2007
   Employee Influenza
Vaccination Program: KPNC
         Randy Bergen MD MPH
       Clinical Lead Flu Task Force
  Kaiser Permanente Northern California
           Kaiser Permanente
• Nationally            • Northern California
• 8.5 million members   • 3.2 million members
• 153,000 employees     • 60,000 employees
• 13,000 physicians     • 5000 physicians
• 32 hospitals          • 17 hospitals
• 413 medical offices   • 152 medical offices
                  Kaiser Permanente
• Integrated Health Care System
• Staff either employed by KFH - health plan and hospital
• Or PMG ( Permanente Medical Group) physicians and medical
  office staff
• Employee Health responsible for tracking vaccination rates of
  both groups
          Joint Commission Standards
• Annual immunization program
• Access to immunizations on-site
• Educate regarding the following:
   – Flu Vaccination
   – Appropriate precautions
   – Diagnosis, transmission and potential impact of influenza
     outbreak
• Evaluate immunization rate and reasons for non-participation
• Implement enhancements to the program to increase participation
    What has worked for us in the past…
• Expanded clinic hours for flu vaccine
• Roaming injection cart
• Immunization tables set up outside of department meetings
• Lunch time events or ice cream socials that include flu vaccines
• Evening and night shift flu vaccination rounds
• Coffee coupons, raffles and prize drawings
• Use Nursing Supervisors and Modified Workers to delivery
  flu vaccine
                                                Leadership Support
Leadership Message
Important NCAL News from KP Leaders

•   The following is being sent on behalf of Mary Ann Thode, president, Northern California Region, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan &
    Hospitals and Robert Pearl, MD, executive director and CEO, The Permanente Medical Group to all Northern California employees and
    physicians.

•   Flu season is just around the corner. It’s a time when all of us are at risk for flu and its complications. As we prepare for its onset, we encourage
    you to protect yourselves and your patients by taking advantage of Kaiser Permanente’s free employee vaccination program, scheduled to begin
    the week of October 8 to 12 with Employee Flu Vaccination Week.

•   In addition, we want to alert you of a new state law that was passed on July 1 requiring that certain health care workers eit her get vaccinated or
    sign a waiver with a reason for declining the flu shot at this time.

•   Why get vaccinated?
     –   Many of KP’s members and patients are at risk for complications, hospitalizations, and even death from the flu. You can help protect this
         high-risk population by getting vaccinated yourself.
     –   Getting vaccinated protects your co-workers, which means fewer people out of work and better coverage to care for members.
     –   The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly recommend that all health care workers be vaccinated, including those who do
         not work directly with patients.
     –   In the early stages, many people don’t realize they have the flu virus, and some people never feel sick, but they can still i nfect others.
     –   For healthy adults, a flu shot increases the chances of staying healthy by 70 to 90 percent.
     –   Flu viruses change every year. Last year's vaccination will not protect you during this year's flu season.
     –   We expect an ample supply of vaccine this season, and there are no restrictions on who may receive flu shots.
•   How to get vaccinated?
     –    Contact Employee Health Services about where and when to get vaccinated.
     –    Look for local notices about flu vaccination at your facility.
     –    Consider taking advantage of the roving flu cart available in some areas.
     –    Drop by the outpatient immunization clinic.
     –    Flu shots are also offered to employees at KP member flu clinics. Call 1-800-KP-FLU-11 (or 1-800-573-5811) to find out about flu clinic
          dates, times, and locations.

•   Taking care of others starts with taking care of yourself. Stay healthy and protect patients,
    co-workers, family, and yourself from the flu.
Regional Education
  Employee and physician vaccination rates

Year           Employees      Physicians

2001-2002      42%            58%

2002-2003      36%            49%

2003-2004      44%            61%

2004-2005      53%            74%

2005-2006      40%            66%

2006-2007      50%            63%
    What will work in the future…


• Change in culture
  regarding how we
  take care of our
  employees….
            Health and Safety Code 1288.7
                       SB 739

• Annually offer on-site influenza immunizations
• Require employees to be vaccinated or to decline in writing why they
  decline immunization
• Institute respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette protocols
• Create a disaster plan that includes a pandemic influenza component
     Employee Vaccination Strategies
• Influence- educate, incentives, easy access- passively refuse
• Declination- actively refuse
• Require-
           Personal Opinion:
Yearly influenza vaccination should be a
condition of employment for all healthcare
workers without medical contraindications.
Randy Bergen MD
Clinical Lead Flu Task Force
KPNC