Cook Children’s Health Care System Wins
ANA 2007-2008 Best Practices in Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Award

The American Nurses Association selected the top 4 programs in the Nation with exemplary seasonal influenza programs. Cook Children’s Health Care System was among the facilities selected as award recipients. Cook’s had an aggressive and successful influenza vaccination program for employees with 2007 vaccination rates at 77% across the system. Cook Children’s employees are highly committed to the mission of the organization and participation in the influenza vaccination program.

Various vaccination strategies were utilized by the Occupational Health staff
• Mass vaccination dates
• “Point of Work (POW)” vaccinators (employees who were trained to deliver injectable vaccine during their shift to co-workers)
• Vaccination at unit staff meetings, regardless of time and location.
• Vaccination of night shift employees at alternative times (such as in the evening when they arrive rather than early morning as they leave).
• Vaccination at educational nursing activities such as “Skills Week”
• Visible support from upper management of the vaccination campaign.
• Extra focus on high risk units – Hematology and Oncology, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and the Emergency Department.

Cook Children’s feels that continuing to dispel myths and providing accurate information is the best approach for the health care worker population. They hope that this can serve as a model for other organizations and “best practices” in the future.

Joyce Hood and Bridget Page
accepting the ANA award in Austin Sept. 11, 2008

AAOHN and TSAOHN congratulate the following chapters for increasing membership during 2007. Each chapter will receive a certificate and letter of appreciation from AAOHN. Congratulations to everyone.

Gold Recognition - membership increase of 11% or more

• Austin

• Dallas