When do we give flu shots?

[lorster]

We have a policy at our hospital that we give patients flu shots and pneumonia shots if they have not had them. For a time, we gave them upon discharge. Now, the hospital has decided that we need to give the shots on the day of admission. I have had patients question this and when I asked why we are doing this, the reply was that this was instituted by infection control. Personally, I would not want to come into a hospital with a bad case of pneumonia and have someone give me a flu and pneumonia shot the minute I hit the door. I'm not sure if this is being done all over or if this is something that our hospital has decided to do. What are your hospitals doing and what do you think of giving an acutely ill patient a flu and pneumonia shot upon admission?

[jennyfyre]

Just giving my input...on my unit, Peds/Gyn surg., we give the surgicals the shots on post-op day 1, which is often their discharge day. Most of our kid patients have already had theirs in clinic, but if they haven't they get their shot as soon as possible.

[lsyorke, RN]

I wouldn't be comfortable with this since someone who is sick enough to be admitted isn't in the best frame of mind to make a decision of if they want flu/pneu.