Arlington, Va., March 31, 2022 – Results from a new study suggest that increasing influenza vaccination rates among home healthcare (HHC) workers may reduce serious respiratory infection-related hospitalizations among patients in home healthcare settings. Published today in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC), the findings are among the first to highlight the association between HHC staff flu-vaccination rates and patient illness at a national level.
“Millions of older Americans receive HHC services on an annual basis, yet little is known about the influenza vaccination rate among HHC workers and its impact on these patients,” said Jingjing Shang, PhD, RN, Center for Health Policy, Columbia University School of Nursing, and first author on the published study. “Our study provides valuable new insights that could help inform HHC vaccination policies to reduce flu-related illness and hospitalizations among this population and could also have implications for HHC vaccination policies relative to COVID-19.”
During the 2019-2020 influenza season, adults aged 65 and over accounted for 57% of influenza-associated infections and 75% of influenza-associated deaths in the United States. Previous research has shown that healthcare workers are one of the main sources of influenza transmission to geriatric patients during the flu season. In 2018, 3.4 million Medicare beneficiaries received HHC services.
The study conducted by Dr. Shang and colleagues evaluated the association between hospital transfers due to respiratory infection among HHC patients and corresponding HHC agencies’ staff vaccination policies. The researchers conducted a national survey of HHC agencies and then obtained assessment data for all Medicare beneficiaries who received services from these agencies during a 60-day period. The average age of patients in the study was 80.3 years.
Key findings from the study include:
“This study provides the first quantifiable evidence that requiring flu vaccination for HHC workers could substantially reduce the burden and cost of seasonal flu for older Americans in the HHC setting, as well as their family members and the U.S. healthcare system,” said Linda Dickey, RN, MPH, CIC, FAPIC, and 2022 APIC president.
About APIC
Founded in 1972, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) is the leading association for infection preventionists and epidemiologists. With more than 15,000 members, APIC advances the science and practice of infection prevention and control. APIC carries out its mission through research, advocacy, and patient safety; education, credentialing, and certification; and fostering development of the infection prevention and control workforce of the future. Together with our members and partners, we are working toward a safer world through the prevention of infection. Join us and learn more at apic.org .
About AJIC
As the official peer-reviewed journal of APIC, The American Journal of Infection Control ( AJIC ) is the foremost resource on infection control, epidemiology, infectious diseases, quality management, occupational health, and disease prevention. Published by Elsevier , AJIC also publishes infection control guidelines from APIC and the CDC. AJIC is included in Index Medicus and CINAHL. Visit AJIC at ajicjournal.org .
NOTES FOR EDITORS
“Influenza vaccination of home healthcare staff and the impact on patient hospitalizations,” by Jingjing Shang, PhD, RN, FAAN, OCN; Jordan M. Harrison, PhD, RN; Ashley M. Chastain, DrPH, MPH; Patricia W. Stone, PhD, RN, FAAN, CIC; Uduwanage Gayani E. Perera, PhD, MS; Elizabeth A. Madigan, PhD, RN, FAAN; Monika Pogorzelska-Maziarz, PhD, MPH, CIC; and Andrew W. Dick, PhD, was published online in AJIC on March 31, 2022. The article may be found online at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2021.12.027
AUTHORS
Jingjing Shang, PhD, RN, FAAN, OCN (corresponding author: js4032@cumc.columbia.edu )
Center for Health Policy, Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, NY, USA
Jordan M. Harrison, PhD, RN
The RAND Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Ashley M. Chastain, DrPH, MPH
Patricia W. Stone, PhD, RN, FAAN, CIC
Uduwanage Gayani E. Perera, PhD, MS
Elizabeth A. Madigan, PhD, RN, FAAN
Independent Researcher, Indianapolis, IN, USA
Monika Pogorzelska-Maziarz, PhD, MPH, CIC
College of Nursing, Thomas Jefferson University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Andrew W. Dick, PhD
The RAND Corporation, Boston, MA, USA
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American Journal of Infection Control
Data/statistical analysis
People
Influenza vaccination of home healthcare staff and the impact on patient hospitalizations
31-Mar-2022
None to report. Funding: This research was funded by the National Institutes of Health: National Institute of Nursing Research and the Office of the Director (R01NR016865) and the Alliance for Home Health Quality and Innovation (AHHQI).