[brian]

U.S. nursing homes must vaccinate all their patients against the flu and pneumonia starting this fall or risk being kicked out of the Medicare and Medicaid programs under a new plan announced by the federal government.

Full Story: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050812/...NlYwMlJVRPUCUl

[Jessy_RN]

Not sure whether this is a good think or bad. Anyhow, wish they have enough for the rest of us mortals this year. (flu shots that is)

[Bird2]

Originally Posted by JessicaGmz

Not sure whether this is a good think or bad. Anyhow, wish they have enough for the rest of us mortals this year. (flu shots that is)

It's a good thing. Last year I only had 2 cases of the flu in the facility and they were confirmed via nasal swab. Guess what, they both had the flu vac. Unfortunately I am already trying to order more vaccine. I may have enough for the pts but I'm worried that the staff won't get any.

[ClaireMacl]

I got really bad flu the year I got the flu jab... I'm contemplating whether or not to have it this year as I am being investigated for Lupus and don't wanna get more sick as a result of not having it.

Bit controvertial that flu jab, I'd love to see a proper study on the vaccination/illness rates

[CrunchRN]

Darn - i think it is a good idea, but last year I had to sip the vaccination, and was lucky. Doubt that i will be lucky two years in a row though.

[Jolie]

I look after an elderly aunt who lives in a nursing home. She has had a pneumomia vaccine, but refuses the flu vaccine every year. I have mixed feelings on this proposal. I would LIKE to see her vaccinated against the flu, but don't believe I (or anyone else) have the right to FORCE it upon her just because of her place of residence. We allow parents to "opt out" of vaccines for school age children for reasons other than medical necessity, and I think that should be the case here as well. I do agree it should be OFFERED to every nursing home resident, though.

[Judee Smudee]

Originally Posted by Jolie

I look after an elderly aunt who lives in a nursing home. She has had a pneumomia vaccine, but refuses the flu vaccine every year. I have mixed feelings on this proposal. I would LIKE to see her vaccinated against the flu, but don't believe I (or anyone else) have the right to FORCE it upon her just because of her place of residence. We allow parents to "opt out" of vaccines for school age children for reasons other than medical necessity, and I think that should be the case here as well. I do agree it should be OFFERED to every nursing home resident, though.

I have always worked in acute care. Patients are always informed of their right to refuse and a small number do indeed refuse. If patient is not able to give consent then caretakers are informed and asked for consent. It would be very unusual for anyone to be forced to take a vaccine. I can't rule out the possiblity that someone somewhere would take the thing too seriously and give a patient that decided to opt out a hard time. If I did hear someone doing this I would set them straight or go to my manager.

[grannynurse FNP student]

Originally Posted by brian

U.S. nursing homes must vaccinate all their patients against the flu and pneumonia starting this fall or risk being kicked out of the Medicare and Medicaid programs under a new plan announced by the federal government.

Full Story: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050812/...NlYwMlJVRPUCUl

While I do not live in a nursing home, I am Medicare eligible. I went to the Medicare website. Last posting is July 25, 2005. There is nothing about the required flu vaccinations. I find it amasing that the government can mandate a vaccination for a select group of people. I question Yahoo's information and believe there is much more to the story then they present, as usual.

Grannynurse

[Katnip]

It's probably not on the website because it hasn't been finalized.

If this does happen, I don't necessarily think it's a great thing. The government may be taking away the right of a competent patient to refuse treatment. We have a lot of seniors who come through our ED who do refuse the flu vaccine.

[Bird2]

Originally Posted by grannynurse FNP student

While I do not live in a nursing home, I am Medicare eligible. I went to the Medicare website. Last posting is July 25, 2005. There is nothing about the required flu vaccinations. I find it amasing that the government can mandate a vaccination for a select group of people. I question Yahoo's information and believe there is much more to the story then they present, as usual.

Grannynurse

They are mandating that all Nursing Homes OFFER the vaccine. I will more than likely have a tracking log so if surveyors ask I will be able to tell if
1. The pt had the flu vac
2. The pt refused the vac
3. The Guardian/POA refused the flu vac
4. The pt has an acute febrile illlness and will be given the vac when better
5. The pt has an allergy to the flu vac
6. There is no supply of the flu vac.

Hopefully this will help make it clearer. I read the CMS guidelines but very quickly so there may be more details that I missed.