Message from the CEO: help save a life

You don’t need to be a superhero to save a life: just get a flu shot or wear a mask.

This is the theme of this year’s influenza campaign, which comes into effect from December 1 to March 31.

I appreciate that this campaign, officially captured under the provincial Health Care Worker Influenza Protection Policy, sparks mixed feelings amongst staff. Diversity of opinion and ideas is a positive thing, as is the professionalism that comes into play when we all work together to put our patients first. With this in mind, your participation in this campaign will protect our most vulnerable patients from a potentially fatal flu infection.

I want to acknowledge and thank all of you for complying with the policy last year. The majority of you chose to be immunized – 88% of medical staff and 81% of all other VCH staff got the shot, while the remaining staff wore masks. Both of these options are evidence based and we are prepared to work with you to help you find the option that works best for you.

The Health Care Worker Influenza Protection Policy applies to all health authority staff (unionized and excluded), volunteers, students, casuals, contractors and physicians, who have contact with patients, residents and clients in hospital, community or home care settings. Like last year, visitors also will be asked to adhere to this policy.

As you know, the flu can result in medical complications or death, particularly for the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions – in other words, our patients. Without knowing it, you can be infected and spreading influenza to your patients, co-workers or family for up to 24 hours before you feel the first symptoms.

Last year, we had record numbers of both staff and the general public choosing to be immunized. Getting immunized is the best way to protect yourself from contracting influenza. This vaccine is safe and 70-90% effective among healthy adults, such as health care workers. My hope is that we continue to improve our immunization coverage every year. There are more than 100 health facilities in the U.S. alone with similar staff flu policies including Johns Hopkins Hospitals and the Mayo Clinic. The province of Saskatchewan and several large hospitals in Ontario have similar policies. We are in the ranks of the most prestigious health organizations in the world and with our high immunization rates, we send a clear message about how much we care for our patients and how we pride ourselves in providing quality health care.

There are many opportunities for you to get the flu shot this year. We are hosting clinics for staff at many of our sites beginning October 27. Also, starting November 3 dozens of peer nurse immunizers will be available to vaccinate staff on many of your units. You can also be immunized by your family physician or at a pharmacy. Visit the VCH staff flu page www.vch.ca/staff-flu to locate a clinic convenient for you, along with the policy and frequently asked questions.  And we do welcome your questions; these can be sent to fluprevention@vch.ca.

We all work in health care for a reason and we have a greater responsibility to get immunized for that same reason: To care for the vulnerable.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to providing safe, high quality care to our patients, residents and clients. Let’s take the fight against the flu to the next level this year.

Mary

Editor’s note: for more info about the flu campaign, including about how you can win a mini-iPad read this week’s story.