PERHAM HOSPITAL LAUNCHES EMPLOYEE FLU SHOT CAMPAIGN

Perham Memorial Hospital and Home Board of Trustees and senior leadership are the first to be immunized against this season’s influenza. PMHH has launched a campaign “Don’t Let the Flu Catch You!” with the goal to immunize 90 percent of their employees for influenza in order to protect its nursing home residents and patients against the illness.

Despite research demonstrating the benefits of immunizing health care workers against flu, nationally, fewer than 40 percent of health care workers are immunized each year.

“PMHH is committed to patient safety and offering the vaccination demonstrates our obligation to protect patients and residents,” said Mary Mayer, Director of Quality Management for PMHH. “Last year, we fell short of our goal of 90% but were very happy with 86% of our staff accepting the vaccine. We actually had a very low rate of employee illness related to the flu and we are sure the vaccine provided this protection. Health care workers come in contact with people who have chronic illnesses and are at high risk for influenza-related complications. We take every measure we can at assuring our patients and residents that we take patient safety extremely serious.”

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published recommendations that call for immunizing all health care personnel in acute-care hospitals, nursing homes and other skilled nursing facilities, physicians’ offices, and outpatient clinics against the disease. Also targeted are home health care workers and individuals providing emergency medical services.

Pictured receiving the flu shot (seated from left) is Chuck Hofius, CEO, and Cal Dockter, Board of Trustees Chair. Administering the vaccine is Dan Peterson, RN, Senior Director Community Services, and Mayer. The vaccine was offered facility wide to all employees on October 30.

Perham Memorial Hospital was rated a Top 100 Hospital in the nation in 2004. In addition to medical services, PMHH also operates a 96-bed skilled care community, ambulance, pharmacy, home care agency, senior housing, and a rehabilitation center.

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