Why do hospitals promote Flu shots so bad?

Sour Lemon · Oct 1, 2016

I was hired through an agency to work as a nurse, giving flu shots during the flu season at a very well known hospital. Hospital administration is so eager for me to give as many flu shots as I can to patients. Does the hospital really care about patients not getting the flu or is there something else more?

Joint Commission ....Core Measures ...blah, blah, blah. This is not a hard one to figure out. I'm surprised that you haven't heard so much about it that you find it a super-boring topic.

I'm not against vaccines, by the way. I get them, my baby gets them, my old-people patients get them, etc.

VANurse2010 · Oct 1, 2016

They are required by CMS for any hospital that accepts Medicare (i.e. almost all hospitals).

allnurses Guide · Oct 1, 2016

Not to mention preventing pandemics where tens of thousands of people die.

"The influenza or flu pandemic of 1918 to 1919, the deadlist in modern history, infected an estimated 500 million people worldwide - about one-third of the planet's population at the time - and killed an estimated 20 million to 50 million victims. More than 25 percent of the U.S. population became sick, and some 675,000 Americans died during the pandemic." history.com

Enough people will not be vaccinated that we will see lots of people with flu, and some will die; but it doesn't have to be as horrific as it could be without the flu shots. I skipped mine a couple of years ago, because I was going through chemo and just didn't want anything more. Ended up with Flu A and spent a week in hospital, delayed my treatments, and felt really really lousy, who needed that on top of chemo? :banghead:

brillohead, ADN, RN · Oct 1, 2016

My unit has seen TONS of pneumonia all summer long, and not just in the elderly or chronically ill population. I am honestly terrified of what is going to happen this winter, when flu season hits and more people have an actual reason to be developing pneumonia.

Libby1987 · Oct 1, 2016

CMS. Flu is considered one of the leading causes of hospital admissions (primarily or secondarily) hence costly. Our ratings our lowered (HH) by patients who refuse the flu vac, therefore there is a push from those needing to meet payroll to have all of our patients vaccinated. This is behind mandatory flu vac for employees as well.

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 1, 2016

WHY? Well, it's not about a major conspiracy theory.

Cause you don't want the flu. It kills. It makes you wish you would die.

True story. Friend had a healthy, strong logger man of a son, 29 or so. She tried to get all her kids to get flu shots, but they "didn't believe in them". Well logger son gets flu. Gets so sick so fast, damn near dies. Spent 5 weeks in ICU in a coma, with multiple organ system shutdown, on dialysis, vent, the works.

They spend weeks not knowing if he will live or he will die. Kid was healthy as a horse til then.

Well very long story, shorter, he eventually makes a very slow, painful recovery. Every system in his body was affected. He even had to learn to walk again and spent weeks in physical therapy.

He tested positive for flu; they knew that it was the cause of all the mayhem.

While he was hospitalized, all her kids got flu shots and now swear they will every year.

He was lucky. He lived to tell the tale, and does, to anyone who will listen.

So when someone "pushes you so bad" to get a flu shot, you remember this story; there are others like it with more unfortunate endings (e.g. "dead")---- and get the shot. Also, remember it's not just about you, but protecting the community at large. Many can't get them d/t immune system problems, being on chemo, etc. It's about protecting your patient population, too. The flu vaccine is less effective in those over 65 so not exposing them in addition to getting their shots, is their best chance of not contracting flu in a given year.

Even if the vaccine were statistically only 10 percent effective in a given year, that is 10 percent protection you don't have if you don't get the shot. Some years, they hit the mark and have the right and most effective vaccine. Some years, it's not as effective or the flu mutates. Your immune system is still on high alert and you will more likely avoid getting sick with the other viruses. Your body remembers, and every year you get shots, you are protected from many strains, not just the one you receive that year.

I have gotten flu shots for many years since I was in the military (and we had no choice) and honestly, have not had flu in excess of 2 decades. I am a believer.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Oct 1, 2016

The last time I had the flu was in 1992. I spent that entire winter and spring bouncing in and out of the ER, dealing with repeated bouts of pneumonia and bronchitis stemming from the original infection and weakened resistance. You bet your booty I get my flu shot every year!

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Oct 1, 2016

Because post flu pneumonia is a killer of even young and healthy and also employers do not want their employees out sick and unable to care for patients.

purplegal · Oct 2, 2016

Seems like this one would be obvious, to be honest.

The flu is a common, but very preventable disease that can have serious consequences if contracted. Of course, vaccination doesn't always prevent it, but it does a lot of the time.

While some of it may be financially motivated on their side (healthier patients cost less, for example), isn't it our job to do what we can to promote health in our patients?

smf0903 · Oct 2, 2016

Not to mention preventing pandemics where tens of thousands of people die.
"The influenza or flu pandemic of 1918 to 1919, the deadlist in modern history, infected an estimated 500 million people worldwide - about one-third of the planet's population at the time - and killed an estimated 20 million to 50 million victims. More than 25 percent of the U.S. population became sick, and some 675,000 Americans died during the pandemic." history.com
Enough people will not be vaccinated that we will see lots of people with flu, and some will die; but it doesn't have to be as horrific as it could be without the flu shots. I skipped mine a couple of years ago, because I was going through chemo and just didn't want anything more. Ended up with Flu A and spent a week in hospital, delayed my treatments, and felt really really lousy, who needed that on top of chemo?

There is a great documentary on amazon that discusses the influenza pandemic of 1918.

roser13, ASN, RN · Oct 2, 2016

Promote "so bad"? What does that even mean?