Influenza (flu) is an acute, contagious, viral infection of the nose, throat and lungs (respiratory illness) caused by influenza viruses. Outbreaks of seasonal influenza occur annually during late autumn and winter months although the timing and severity of outbreaks can vary substantially from year to year and community to community. Influenza activity most often peaks in February, but can peak rarely as early as November and as late as April. In order to protect as many people as possible before influenza activity increases, most flu vaccine is administered in September through November, but vaccine is recommended to be administered throughout the influenza season as well. Because the flu vaccine usually first becomes available in September, health systems can usually meet public and patient needs for vaccination in advance of widespread influenza circulation.
Rationale: Up to 1 in 5 people in the United States get influenza every season (CDC, Key Facts 2015). Each year an average of approximately 226,000 people in the US are hospitalized with complications from influenza and between 3,000 and 49,000 die from the disease and its complications (Thompson 2003). Combined with pneumonia, influenza is the nation’s 8th leading cause of death (Heron 2012). Up to two-thirds of all deaths attributable to pneumonia and influenza occur in the population of patients that have been hospitalized during flu season regardless of age (Fedson 2000). The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends seasonal influenza vaccination for all persons 6 months of age and older to highlight the importance of preventing influenza. Vaccination is associated with reductions in influenza among all age groups (Kostova 2013).The influenza vaccination is the most effective method for preventing influenza virus infection and its potentially severe complications. Screening and vaccination of inpatients is recommended, but hospitalization is an underutilized opportunity to provide vaccination to persons 6 months of age or older.
Type Of Measure: Process Improvement Noted As: Increase in the rateIncluded Populations:Denominator Statement: Acute care hospitalized inpatients age 6 months and older discharged during October, November, December, January, February or March.Excluded Populations: None Data Elements:
- Patients who received the influenza vaccine during this inpatient hospitalization
- Patients who received the influenza vaccine during the current year’s flu season but prior to the current hospitalization
- Patients who were offered and declined the influenza vaccine
- Patients who have an allergy/sensitivity to the influenza vaccine, anaphylactic latex allergy or anaphylactic allergy to eggs, or for whom the vaccine is not likely to be effective because of bone marrow transplant within the past 6 months, or history of Guillian-Barre syndrome within 6 weeks after a previous influenza vaccination, or symptomatic suspected or confirmed COVID-19
Included Populations: Inpatient discharges 6 months of age and older Excluded Populations:Data Elements:
- Patients less than 6 months of age
- Patients who expire prior to hospital discharge
- Patients with an organ transplant during the current hospitalization(Appendix A, Table 12.10)
- Patients for whom vaccination was indicated, but supply had not been received by the hospital due to problems with vaccine production or distribution
- Patients who have a Length of Stay greater than 120 days
- Patients who are transferred or discharged to another acute care hospital
- Patients who leave Against Medical Advice (AMA)
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