Influenza Vaccines for Health Care Workers

This health system's employee influenza vaccination policy compliance rate was less than 70 percent, putting it below the 75.2 percent national average for health care workers in 2013-2014. The system set a goal of achieving 90 percent compliance with its mandatory influenza vaccine policy for the 2014-2015 influenza season. To achieve this goal, the system created a communications campaign to educate employees about the mandatory vaccine policy, developed a new paperwork requirement for staff and leveraged leadership and front-line staff members to increase policy buy-in. At the end of the campaign, the health system surpassed its goal and achieved 94 percent compliance with the influenza vaccine policy.

This case study is part of the Illinois Health and Hospital Association's annual Quality Excellence Achievement Awards. Each year, IHA recognizes and celebrates the achievements of Illinois hospitals and health systems in continually improving and transforming health care in the state. These organizations are improving health by striving to achieve the Triple Aim—improving the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction), improving the health of populations, and reducing the per capita cost of health care—and the Institute of Medicine's six aims for improvement—safe, effective, patient centered, timely, efficient, and equitable. To learn more, visit https://www.ihaqualityawards.org/javascript-ui/IHAQualityAward/