The Everett Clinic is mandating flu immunizations for most of its employees, part of a wave of stepped up efforts to get health care workers to act on their own advice: “Get your flu shot.”
And they’re not alone.
Providence Regional Medical Center Everett also is requiring their employees to get the shot or sign a form explaining why they aren’t. Employees who don’t may be asked to wear medical masks.
The Everett Clinic is believed to be the first health care organization in Snohomish County to require employees to take the flu shot or a flu mist.
The new rule will affect an estimated 85 percent of its work force from receptionists and security guards to doctors and nurses, said Dr. Yuan-Po Tu, the Everett Clinic’s medical director of walk-in clinics. If they refuse, employees could face discipline and possibly be fired.
The only people exempt will be those who have no contact with patients.
Cascade Valley Hospital in Arlington is considering similar action.
Providence will only grant exemptions for those with medical or religious objections. Still undecided is whether the shot will be required of all 3,200 employees or those who have contact with patients.
“The safest way of managing patients and staff is for everyone to be immunized,” said Dr. Larry Schecter, Providence’s chief medical officer.
The flu vaccination this year will guard against three strains of flu, including the swine flu.
Last year, 70 percent of Providence employees received the swine flu vaccine, said spokeswoman Cheri Russum.
The efforts to step up immunizations among health care workers are being announced as the first scattered cases of influenza are being reported at area clinics.
“It remains to be seen if this is the tip of the iceberg and an early flu season or just the customary early sporadic cases we’ve been getting in the past,” said Dr. Jeff Hambleton, chief medical officer for Providence Physician Group.
A 39-year-old man was hospitalized last week with a 104 degree fever and flu-like symptoms, Tu said.
For years, immunization rates for health care workers were only slightly higher than in the general public — 45 to 50 percent.
However, last year’s swine flu outbreak focused national attention on the need for health care workers to be immunized to try to prevent the spread of the virus.
This year, the Washington State Hospital Association has been urging hospitals to step up efforts to increase employee immunization rates.
“This is not a minor issue,” said Cassie Sauer, the association’s spokeswoman. Patients who are recovering from serious medical conditions, such as open heart surgery, can either die or remain far sicker far longer if they catch the flu while hospitalized, she said.
A myth among health care workers is they’ll know when they’re getting sick from influenza, she said. In fact, you can be spreading the virus before you know you’re sick, Sauer said.
In 2005, Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle was the first hospital in the nation to require its employees to get flu immunizations, although exemptions are allowed for medical or religious reasons.
During last year’s flu season, 98.9 percent of its 5,000-member workforce was immunized.
Policies at several area hospitals are still being developed.
Even though it was voluntary, 85 percent of Cascade Valley Hospital’s workforce got the swine flu immunization last year, said Clark Jones, chief executive.
Talks are now under way on whether to make the shot mandatory this year.
“People don’t like things being mandatory, even if they agree with it,” he said. “The effect that it’s mandatory can be a negative. That’s what we have under consideration.”
Last year, 73 percent of staff at Valley General Hospital in Monroe were vaccinated. It is still working on the details of this year’s policy, but will likely require all employees to be immunized, said Monica Sylte, Valley General’s spokeswoman.
Last year, Group Health encouraged but did not require its 9,000 employees to be immunized, and 65 percent agreed to do so, according to spokesman Kirk Williamson.
This year, staff working in its medical care buildings must get the shot or sign a statement declining it, he said.
About 60 percent of the 8,000 employees at Seattle-based Swedish Health Services were vaccinated against swine flu last year, said Will Shelton, director of epidemiology and employee health. This year, those who don’t will be asked to wear a medical mask, he said.
The policy at Swedish/Edmonds, formerly Stevens Hospital, is still being developed. Last year, 61 percent of employees were immunized against swine flu, said Steve Kaiser, the hospital’s spokesman.
Employees at the Everett Clinic must either get a shot or take a whiff of flu mist by Oct. 8, or they can’t come to work, Tu said.
The decision to make the immunization a requirement for employment has been considered for several years, Tu said.
Last year, 92 percent of employees were vaccinated against swine flu.
The organization already requires employees to be vaccinated against hepatitis B and chicken pox or have proof they had the disease.
Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.
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