Regional Medical Center's commitment to flu prevention well worth the effort
Trinitas Regional Medical Center has been recognized by the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) for instituting a mandate that all health care personnel receive influenza vaccination every year.
Trinitas has recently been accepted onto IAC's Influenza Vaccination Honor Roll, now numbering more than 650 organizations, which recognizes hospitals, health care systems and practices, long-term care facilities, and pharmacies that have instituted mandatory influenza vaccination policies to promote patient safety and prevent transmission of influenza.
There is widespread agreement that mandatory influenza vaccination policies benefit patients. Thirteen major health and medical groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American Hospital Association, have developed position statements supporting mandatory influenza vaccination for health care personnel.
Unfortunately, four New Jersey children have died this season from flu complications according to Health Commissioner Dr. Shereef Elnahal. Most recently, a toddler from northern New Jersey died in a hospital early March.
The fact that influenza is a vaccine-preventable disease makes it that much more crucial to comply, says Dr. William Farrer, FIDSA, FSHEA, Hospital Epidemiologist and Chair, Infection Prevention and Control Committee.
In 2018, the New Jersey Department of Health gave its first Innovator's Award to Trinitas in recognition of the high percentage of employees who were vaccinated against the flu.
"We are proud of our policy and stand by it in an effort to protect everyone involved," says Gary S. Horan, FACHE, President/CEO of Trinitas. "It's considered a safe vaccine and it only makes sense to want to protect ourselves and our patients, their family members and the community we serve."
Deborah Wexler, MD, executive director of IAC, commends Trinitas for their persistence with employees to be vaccinated. "Healthcare settings have a responsibility to protect their patients from influenza, which may result in serious complications or even death for those who are infected with the virus," she says. "Trinitas' commitment to this policy for health care personnel shows that it is a leader in preventing influenza transmission in the workplace and in protecting the health and safety of patients."
About Trinitas Regional Medical Center
Trinitas Regional Medical Center was established in 2000 following the consolidation of Elizabeth General Medical Center and St. Elizabeth Hospital. Trinitas, a major center for comprehensive health services for those who live and work in Central New Jersey, is a Catholic teaching medical center sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth in partnership with Elizabethtown Healthcare Foundation. With 12 Centers of Excellence across the continuum of care, Trinitas has distinguished itself in cardiology, cancer care, behavioral health, renal care, nursing education, diabetes management, wound healing, breast health, seniors health care, women's health care and sleep medicine.
Contact Information
Doug Harris
908-994-5138
dharris@trinitas.org
Yolanda Fleming
908-994-5139
Yfleming@trinitas.org