For the 2010-2011 flu season, JCR challenged health care organizations across the country to achieve 95, 85 or 75 percent—gold, silver or bronze, respectively—seasonal flu vaccination among their staff.  With help from the Flu Vaccination Challenge, more than 1.1 million health care workers (HCWs) were vaccinated against the seasonal flu; a key measure towards reducing the risk of flu outbreaks in health care organizations.

“We are pleased to be recognized by the JCR for our commitment to patient safety through our goal of 100% staff participation in the 2010-2011Flu Program and vaccinating 97% of our staff members,” explains Maria Sparks, RN, Director of Infection Control/ Employee Health at LPMC.  “At Lake Pointe, we work diligently everyday to provide a safe environment and high quality healthcare for our employees and our patients.”  Flu shots were also made available to the public at the Lake Pointe Urgent Care Center.

 “The Flu Vaccination Challenge showcases the ethical responsibility that health care workers have to protect themselves, their patients and their colleagues from influenza each year by taking the time to get vaccinated,” says William Schaffner., M.D., chairman, Department of Preventive Medicine, and professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. “Protection against influenza is paramount in patient safety, as studies show that increased rates of health care worker vaccination correspond with a significant decrease in the incidence of health care-associated influenza.”

For additional details regarding the 2010/2011 results and for information on how health care organizations can help improve their flu vaccination coverage, please visit www.FluVaccinationChallenge.com.

About The Flu

The flu is a contagious and potentially deadly infection.   Flu viruses are mainly spread from person to person via droplets from coughing or sneezing. Transmission may also occur through direct or indirect contact, such as when touching something already laden with the flu virus, then touching the eyes, nose or mouth. Every year in the United States, between 5 and 20 percent of the population may become infected with the flu.  On average, more than 200,000 hospitalizations occurred each year from 1979 to 2001 in the United States as a result of flu-related complications. Additionally, on average, approximately 36,000 persons died each year from 1990-1999 from flu-related causes; more than 90 percent of these deaths occurred among persons 65 years of age and older.

According to the CDC, annual flu vaccination is the most effective method for preventing flu virus infection and its complications. For the 2010-2011 flu season, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) expanded its recommendation for annual flu vaccination to include all people aged 6 months and older. While flu vaccination benefits all age groups, certain people have a higher risk for flu complications, such as adults aged 65 and older and people with chronic medical conditions. ACIP recommends that these people and those in close contact with them, including all health care personnel, continue to be a primary focus for vaccination efforts.

About Joint Commission Resources

Joint Commission Resources (JCR), a not-for-profit affiliate of The Joint Commission, is the official publisher and educator of The Joint Commission. JCR is an expert resource for health care organizations, providing consulting services, educational services and publications to assist in improving quality and safety and to help in meeting the accreditation standards of The Joint Commission. JCR provides consulting services independently from The Joint Commission and in a fully confidential manner. Please visit our web site at www.jcrinc.com. Joint Commission Resources received funding and other editorial support from GlaxoSmithKline for the Flu Vaccination Challenge initiative.

ABOUT LAKE POINTE MEDICAL CENTER

Lake Pointe Medical Center is a 112-bed acute care hospital located at 6800 Scenic Drive in Rowlett.  Lake Pointe Medical Center has been serving the residents of Rockwall, Rowlett, Royse City and the surrounding communities since 1987.  The hospital provides a wide spectrum of medical services, including an emergency department with Fast Track services, a 14-bed intensive care unit, women's services, a Level II and Level III NICU, interventional cardiology, diagnostic imaging, and eight operating rooms.  With a medical staff of over 400 physicians, Lake Pointe Medical Center provides most specialty services.  The hospital holds CIGNA Center of Excellence Designations for Laparoscopic Gall Bladder Removal and Vaginal Delivery.  The hospital is designated as a Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission and a Level IV Trauma Center by the Texas Department of State Health Services.  The hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission, the nation’s oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency, licensed by the state of Texas and certified for participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.  To learn more about Lake Pointe Medical Center, visit www.lakepointemedical.com.