In Rhode Island, the average influenza vaccination coverage rate for hospital employees is 61%. Of employees who provide direct patient care, the state average for is 56.4% for CNAs, 56.5% for nurses, and 58.4% for physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners.
During the 2009-2010 flu season, two hospitals far surpassed the state average. More than 80 percent of healthcare workers at Newport Hospital and at South County Hospital were vaccinated against seasonal flu last year, giving these facilities the highest flu vaccination coverage rates for hospitals in Rhode Island.
Hospitals reported seasonal flu vaccination data to the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) for staff who provide direct patient care for the 2009-2010 flu season. Newport Hospital’s healthcare worker vaccination rate was 86.3%, and South County Hospital’s vaccination rate was 82.5%.
“We congratulate Newport Hospital and South County Hospital for protecting their healthcare workers and the patients they care for,” said Director of Health David R. Gifford, MD, MPH. “Increasing healthcare worker vaccination rates is a state and a national priority, and is a professional ethical responsibility. These two hospitals can serve as a model for other hospitals in the state.”
HEALTH’s goal is that all hospitals have a healthcare worker vaccination rate of at least 70% every year. For the 2009-2010 flu season, Memorial Hospital had a vaccination rate of 71.8%.
To see the complete report on healthcare worker vaccination status, visit http://www.health.ri.gov/publications/qualityreports/hospitals/FluVaccinationReport.pdf For general information about the flu or flu vaccine, call the HEALTH Information Line at 401-222-5960 RI Relay 711 or visit www.health.ri.gov/flu