tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
AJIC: American Journal of Infection Control
Volume 40, Issue 7 , Pages 584-589, September 2012
US school/academic institution disaster and pandemic preparedness and seasonal influenza vaccination among school nurses
Terri Rebmann, PhD, RN, CICemail address
,
Michael B. Elliott, PhD
,
Dave Reddick, BS, CBCP
,
Zachary D. Swick, MS
Background
School pandemic preparedness is essential, but has not been evaluated.
Methods
An online survey was sent to school nurses (from state school nurse associations and/or state departments of education) between May and July 2011. Overall school pandemic preparedness scores were calculated by assigning 1 point for each item in the school's pandemic plan; the maximum score was 11. Linear regression was used to describe factors associated with higher school pandemic preparedness scores. Nurse influenza vaccine uptake was assessed as well.
Results
A total of 1,997 nurses from 26 states completed the survey. Almost three-quarters (73.7%; n = 1,472) reported receiving the seasonal influenza vaccine during the 2010-11 season. Very few (2.2%; n = 43) reported that their school/district had a mandatory influenza vaccination policy. Pandemic preparedness scores ranged from 0 to 10 points, with an average score of 4.3. Determinants of school pandemic preparedness were as follows: planning to be a point of dispensing during a future pandemic (P < .001), having experienced multiple student or employee hospitalizations and/or deaths related to H1N1 during the pandemic (P = .01 or <.05, respectively), having a lead nurse complete the survey (P < .001), and having the school nurse study participant be a member of the school disaster planning committee (P < .001).
Conclusions
US schools must continue to address gaps in pandemic planning.
http://www.ajicjournal.org/article/PIIS0196655312007079/abstract?rss=yes
Volume 40, Issue 7 , Pages 584-589, September 2012
US school/academic institution disaster and pandemic preparedness and seasonal influenza vaccination among school nurses
Terri Rebmann, PhD, RN, CICemail address
,
Michael B. Elliott, PhD
,
Dave Reddick, BS, CBCP
,
Zachary D. Swick, MS
Background
School pandemic preparedness is essential, but has not been evaluated.
Methods
An online survey was sent to school nurses (from state school nurse associations and/or state departments of education) between May and July 2011. Overall school pandemic preparedness scores were calculated by assigning 1 point for each item in the school's pandemic plan; the maximum score was 11. Linear regression was used to describe factors associated with higher school pandemic preparedness scores. Nurse influenza vaccine uptake was assessed as well.
Results
A total of 1,997 nurses from 26 states completed the survey. Almost three-quarters (73.7%; n = 1,472) reported receiving the seasonal influenza vaccine during the 2010-11 season. Very few (2.2%; n = 43) reported that their school/district had a mandatory influenza vaccination policy. Pandemic preparedness scores ranged from 0 to 10 points, with an average score of 4.3. Determinants of school pandemic preparedness were as follows: planning to be a point of dispensing during a future pandemic (P < .001), having experienced multiple student or employee hospitalizations and/or deaths related to H1N1 during the pandemic (P = .01 or <.05, respectively), having a lead nurse complete the survey (P < .001), and having the school nurse study participant be a member of the school disaster planning committee (P < .001).
Conclusions
US schools must continue to address gaps in pandemic planning.
http://www.ajicjournal.org/article/PIIS0196655312007079/abstract?rss=yes