Standing Orders for vaccination

rachel h, BSN, RN · Feb 7, 2003

The hospital I work at has standing orders for the influenza vaccine. It was implemented before I started working there, so I couldn't tell you what kind of problems were encountered (if any) in developing the standing orders.

We offer the vaccination to every patient unless they come from a nursing home, as they often have their own vaccination plans. We just have a pre-printed sheet that has check boxes by about seven or so reasons NOT to vaccinate (such as allergy to eggs, past adverse reaction, already recieved vaccine, pt refuses, etc) that we have to go through prior to vaccinating to make sure it is appropriate for that patient. If it is appropriate, we send the sheet to pharmacy and they send us the vaccination; if not we check the box next to the reason why, and vaccinated or not the order sheet stays a part of their medical record. Hope that helps.

emily_mom · Feb 7, 2003

We do the same as you, Rachel.

baseline · Feb 7, 2003

Hey thanks guys! I am trying to get this project off the ground and I swear, there is alot of resistance from the nursing staff. Thanks for the info!

deespoohbear · Feb 8, 2003

I think this is some JCAHO thing, or at least that it what the bosses are telling me at our facility. We have standing pneumonia orders and the flu and pneumonia vaccine are part of the orders.

My guess the reason you are hitting up against a brick wall about the vaccinations is because it something else for an overworked, understaffed nursing staff has to mess with before they can discharge a patient..... :rolleyes:

The question is on the admission forms too. The flu vaccination period is just about over, I believe. Takes several weeks for the vaccine to take hold and by that time we will be past the peak flu season....

baseline · Feb 8, 2003

Well, JCAHO just adopted it. It's a CMS "thing", and actually, as streptococcus pneumonia causes 60% of the bacteremias in the elderly population, AND is becoming one of the more drug resistant bugs.....seems prudent to prevent it.

baseline · Feb 8, 2003

And the resistance seems to be more in being afraid of the vaccine and poss. reactions, not the work itself. I appreciate the input!

deespoohbear · Feb 8, 2003

Not to be stupid here, but what does "CMS" stand for? The only thing I can think of is "Corporate Medical Services". Thanks.

baseline · Feb 8, 2003

LOL...very very close! Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The whole National Pneumonia Project stems from the CMS "Healthy People 2010".

deespoohbear · Feb 8, 2003

Thanks. Learn something new everyday!!!

melsay, LPN · Feb 8, 2003

JACHO, I don't know about you guys, but I'm about sick of them. We pay them to come into our practice and tell us we suck and then we PAY THEM for it?? All for the Medicare kickbacks. What is Medicare paying these days 5 cents on every Hundred?

plumrn, BSN, RN · Feb 8, 2003

Our admission assessment form asks about flu and pneumonia vaccine hx, and the computer automatically prints out a form to go on the front of the chart for the physician to check yes or no to administer the vaccine to the pt.