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INFECTION PREVENTION
Regina Robinson, RN, BSN, MBA, CASC
Combat Flu in Your Facility
With flu season in full swing early, take these 3 defensive measures.
lu season reached epidemic levels early this year, so the worst
F
may be yet to come. We've already had our first patient cancel
surgery due to flu-like symptoms. Although I can't know if he's
the first of many, here are 3 things we can do to try to keep flu at bay.
1
Mandatory staff flu shots. Our facility has mandatory flu shots
each year, with only 2 exceptions: medical and religious. Staff
NO GUARANTEE A flu shot is the best
prevention, but this year's vaccine is only
a moderate 62% effective, says the CDC.
who otherwise choose
not to get a flu shot are
subject to disciplinary
action, though no one's
been fired. Most doctors
and nurses do get flu
shots, but in the past few
months at least 15 nurses and other hospital
staffers in 4 states have
been fired for refusing,
according to reports.
With the CDC's epidemic announcement,
our facility announced
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O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | F E B R U A R Y 2013