SOUTH KINGSTOWN – South County Hospital has been included on the Immunization Action Coalition’s “Influenza Honor Roll” for 2016.
This honor is designated to health care facilities that have taken the lead in mandating influenza vaccinations within their organizations. To receive this honor, an organization must require that all direct patient care employees be vaccinated against influenza, and include tangible measures to prevent transmission of the virus.
“This year marks the third year South County Hospital has required staff mandated influenza vaccine,” said Lee Ann Quinn, director of infection prevention and control at South County Hospital, in a release. “Staff compliance as it relates to the influenza vaccination is vital to help safeguard the health of all staff and our patients. The hospital is committed to making safety a priority.”
South County Hospital began mandating staff influenza vaccination in 2013. Since then, staff compliance has risen from 92 percent to more than 99 percent, a figure that indicates nearly all staff is receiving the influenza vaccination, with exceptions for the few individuals who are medically exempt.
