MID COAST HOSPITAL RECOGNIZED FOR EXCEPTIONAL FLU VACCINATION EFFORT

Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), in collaboration with Maine Hospital Association (MHA) and the Maine Infection Prevention Collaborative, recently recognized Mid Coast Hospital for achieving an employee influenza vaccination rate of over 90 percent.

An Employee Vaccination and Patient Safety Certificate of Excellence was presented to Mid Coast Hospital representatives at the Cumberland District Public Health Council meeting last month. Flu vaccination was the first priority in the Council's2011-12 District Public Health Improvement Plan.

Mid Coast Hospital hasidentified the promotion of flu vaccinations as an important part of its role in protecting the health of the community and preventing the spread of flu. Many hospitals across the state and across the country are enforcing mandatory requirements for employees to have flu vaccinations. At Mid Coast Hospital, this remains a voluntary effort.

“Consistently reaching flu vaccination rates of over 90 percent on a voluntary basis speaks to the culture of accountability and patient safety shared by Mid Coast Hospital employees,” states Vicki Koehler, RN, COHN-S, Manager of Employee Health.