Calling the shots

HCA Healthcare’s flu-vaccine program keeps employees and patients healthy

Seasonal influenza is dangerous for everyone. HCA Healthcare sees thousands of patients every year who have been hit with the flu, and it can be fatal for children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. It’s also highly contagious, and so it can easily spread to anyone who comes in contact with the person who’s ill.

Because the flu is so dangerous, HCA Healthcare provides free flu shots to all employees. And it’s also why HCA Healthcare requires all employees who interact with patients in any way to have a flu shot, or to wear a mask in any area where they might encounter a patient.

The flu vaccine reduces:
• flu-related PICU admissions by 74%
• flu-related adult hospitalizations by 71%
• flu-related hospitalizations of people aged 50+ by 77%
Source: CDC

Because the flu virus can live on surfaces for hours, employees choosing not to vaccinate must wear a mask during their entire shift. This requirement will run from Nov. 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016.

Whether or not an employee chooses to receive the flu vaccine during this period, he or she must register that choice by Oct. 31, 2015 at hcaflutrack.com.

Each Year:
• 5-20% of U.S. residents get the flu
• 200,000 people are hospitalized for flu-related complications
• 3,000-49,000 people die from the flu

If any employee has questions about the flu vaccine policy and its requirements, they can speak to a supervisor, or email flu@hcahealthcare.com.

The flu can be devastating to HCA Healthcare’s patients. Thanks to all employees for working to not only keep HCA Healthcare hospitals in compliance with regulatory standards, but also for keeping patients and their families safe.

HCA Healthcare requires all employees who interact with patients in any way to have a flu shot, or to wear a mask in any area where they might encounter a patient. Those include:

• patient rooms
• procedure rooms
• waiting rooms
• hallways
• any other common areas