Flu shots

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Anyone else hear of the Joint Commission mandate that all employees in their accredited facilities get flu shots? It is not an option to decline unless there is some documented medical reason not to receive the vaccine.

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Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.

I got mine yesterday. My arm ached for the rest of the day. I was not familiar with this mandate LOL...

This flew shot I got will not protect against Avian Flu Virus. Since all the cases so far have been from birds to human, once the virus is transmitted from human to human then the vaccine will hopefully follow soon thereafter!

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This is not the whole truth. The Joint Commission introduced a new standard in Jan. 2007 that requires all accredited health care facilities to off the flu vaccine to all employees, physician and volunteers with patient contact. It must be offered at a variety of times and/or locations to make it convenient for staff who work nights/weekends/PRN, etc to get vaccinated. The standard does require that if an employee chooses NOT to get the flu vaccine, he/she must sign a declination statement with the reasons for refusing the vaccine. The Infection Control or Employee Health staff is supposed to keep track of the total percentage of health care workers who get the vaccine. Hope this helps.

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JCAHO does not mandate flu shots for employees. As of Jan 1, 2007, they mandate that the vaccine be offered by the employer free of charge to all employees with patient contact. Employees are free to decline the shot if they so choose.

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Anyone else hear of the Joint Commission mandate that all employees in their accredited facilities get flu shots? It is not an option to decline unless there is some documented medical reason not to receive the vaccine.
Is this the same Joint Commission that touts patients' rights... including the right to informed consent or refusal regarding healthcare issues?
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he/she must sign a declination statement with the reasons for refusing the vaccine.
I've never had to give a reason; it's really none of their business.
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i've never had to give a reason, either.

however (:stone), i have no problem giving the reason: citing i got the danged flu right after i received the vaccine (last yr).

leslie

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This is not the whole truth. The Joint Commission introduced a new standard in Jan. 2007 that requires all accredited health care facilities to off the flu vaccine to all employees, physician and volunteers with patient contact. It must be offered at a variety of times and/or locations to make it convenient for staff who work nights/weekends/PRN, etc to get vaccinated. The standard does require that if an employee chooses NOT to get the flu vaccine, he/she must sign a declination statement with the reasons for refusing the vaccine. The Infection Control or Employee Health staff is supposed to keep track of the total percentage of health care workers who get the vaccine. Hope this helps.

Thank you for your response. Are you an infection control nurse? We are being threatened with disciplinary action if we do not receive the shot.

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Is this the same Joint Commission that touts patients' rights... including the right to informed consent or refusal regarding healthcare issues?

That is what bothers me. We are not longer being given the choice.

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That is what bothers me. We are not longer being given the choice.

Good grief.

Tell 'em it's against your religion and you'll sic the EEOC on them if they force you to take it. :lol2:

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Yep...this is the same Joint Commission that surveys hospitals on patient's rights. As I understand the standard, an employer can't punish you for refusing to take the flu shot, but they can make unaccented workers wear surgical masks during flu season when caring for patients. The declination statement is not real specific...it should just state "I choose not to take the flu vaccine because of (check one) religious reasons, or medical reasons. It really should not be asking for specific medical conditions unless you want to disclose the condition and have an Employee Health Nurse or Infection Control Nurse contact you to provide you with educational information. Just a word of caution- there are about 15 states and a few of the Canadian provinces that mandate flu shots for any one working in LTC. I understand the legislation in these 15 states makes it fairly difficult to get an exemption for medical or religious reasons- again this only applies to LTC.

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Yep...this is the same Joint Commission that surveys hospitals on patient's rights. As I understand the standard, an employer can't punish you for refusing to take the flu shot, but they can make unaccented workers wear surgical masks during flu season when caring for patients. The declination statement is not real specific...it should just state "I choose not to take the flu vaccine because of (check one) religious reasons, or medical reasons. It really should not be asking for specific medical conditions unless you want to disclose the condition and have an Employee Health Nurse or Infection Control Nurse contact you to provide you with educational information. Just a word of caution- there are about 15 states and a few of the Canadian provinces that mandate flu shots for any one working in LTC. I understand the legislation in these 15 states makes it fairly difficult to get an exemption for medical or religious reasons- again this only applies to LTC.

Thanks for the info. Do you know if there is a website with this information available?

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