Accreditation

New IC standard addresses staff influenza vaccinations

Accreditation Connection, June 19, 2006

The JCAHO announced last week approval of an infection control (IC) standard that requires accredited organizations to offer influenza vaccinations to staff, including volunteers and licensed independent practitioners (LIPs) who have patient contact.

Compliance with the standard is required beginning January 1, 2007, for the hospital, critical-access hospital, and long-term care accreditation programs. An implementation date of July 1, 2007 was erroneously reported in the JCAHO's June issue of Perspectives, according to JCAHO spokeswoman Charlene Hill.

The JCAHO developed the standard in response to recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention making the reduction of influenza transmission from healthcare professionals to patients a top priority.

The new IC standard requires organizations to:

  • Establish an annual influenza vaccination program that includes at least staff and LIPs

  • Provide access to influenza vaccinations on-site

  • Educate staff and LIPs about flu vaccination; non-vaccine control measures (such as the use of appropriate precautions); and diagnosis, transmission, and potential impact of influenza

  • Annually evaluate vaccination rates and reasons for non-participation in the organization's immunization program

  • Implement enhancements to the program to increase participation

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