Survey Reveals High Confidence that Hospitals have Improved their Flu Preparedness; Illuminates Need for HAI Education
ROSWELL, Ga. & DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- As the height of the flu season approaches, a survey of 525 nurses from America’s leading hospitals reveals that 93 percent of nurses are confident that hospitals are “far better prepared” to handle a potential pandemic than they were this time last year.1 Additionally, 91 percent of the nurses responded that their hospitals had fully incorporated flu outbreaks into their emergency preparedness systems.2 Last year’s H1N1 outbreak seems to have played a part in enhanced planning and awareness according to the nurses, with 82 percent indicating that the H1N1 pandemic was “a humbling lesson from which we learned a lot.”3
The survey was jointly conducted by Kimberly-Clark Health Care and Baylor Health Care System in cooperation with the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Each year, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized for flu-related complications4 and the CDC estimates that approximately 200,000 to 400,000 hospitalizations occurred during the 2009 H1N1 flu season.5
One area of concern for the nurses was that public knowledge of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), the prevention of which is important to containing illness in hospitals, was low. Only 40 percent of the nurses surveyed feel that the public is well informed on this issue.6
Other important findings from the survey reflect flu preparedness and the need for further HAI education:
- 73 percent of nurses expect the upcoming flu season to be somewhat severe7, but are prepared with the flu vaccine (92 percent plan to get it)8, flu education materials appropriate for all staff (69 percent of respondents have these)9 and a pandemic planning committee (68 percent of respondents have this).10
- 60 percent of nurses noted that their hospital’s HAI prevention program was nearly the same or only somewhat improved over the past year.11
- 54 percent of nurses believe the public needs more education about the benefits of HAI prevention programs.12
“The survey results are encouraging,” said Dr. Wava Truscott, Director, Medical Sciences & Education, Kimberly-Clark Health Care. “Clearly our hospitals have made great strides in emergency preparedness, and while we have a long way to go in ever being ‘fully’ prepared, this is a positive step.”
“We were pleased to work with Kimberly-Clark Health Care to assess nurses’ level of preparedness when it comes to preventing the spread of flu and HAIs,” says Rosemary Luquire, RN, PhD, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer of Baylor Health Care System. “As part of our vision to be trusted as the best place to give and receive safe, quality, compassionate care, Baylor has made flu preparedness a priority. This year, in fact, we revised our Universal Influenza Protocol Policy to emphasize the important role our employees play in flu prevention. As such, we are offering free flu shots to all staff members through December 31, and have posted flu prevention information throughout all of our facilities.”
Kimberly-Clark in the Healthcare Environment
Around the world, medical professionals turn to Kimberly-Clark for a wide portfolio of solutions that improve the health, hygiene and well-being of their patients and staff. As part of their healing mission, caregivers rely on Kimberly-Clark to deliver clinical solutions and educational resources that they can depend on to prevent, diagnose and manage a wide variety of healthcare-associated infections. This more than $1 billion global enterprise of Kimberly-Clark Corporation holds the No. 1 or No. 2 market share position in several categories, including infection control solutions, surgical solutions, pain management and digestive health. And throughout the care continuum, patients and staff alike trust Kimberly-Clark medical supplies and devices, KLEENEX tissues, KIMBERLY-CLARK PROFESSIONAL skin care products and SCOTT towels for day-to-day needs. For more information, visit http://www.kchealthcare.com.
About Baylor Health Care System
Baylor Health Care System is a not-for-profit, faith-based supporting organization providing services to a network of acute care hospitals and related health care entities that provide patient care, medical education, research and community service. Baylor recorded more than 2.6 million patient encounters, $3.8 billion in total operating revenue, $4.4 billion in total assets and $513.5 million in community benefit in fiscal year 2010. Baylor’s network of more than 260 access points includes 26 owned/operated/ ventured/affiliated hospitals, 23 joint ventured ambulatory surgical centers, 50 satellite outpatient locations, four senior centers and 156 HealthTexas physician clinics. Two hospitals in the Baylor Health Care System have earned Magnet® recognition for nursing excellence.
About The American Nurses Credentialing Center
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association (ANA), provides individuals and organizations throughout the nursing profession with the resources they need to achieve practice excellence. ANCC ’s internationally renowned credentialing programs certify nurses in specialty practice areas; recognize healthcare organizations for promoting safe, positive work environments through the Magnet Recognition Program®, Pathway to Excellence® and Pathway to Excellence in Long Term Care™ Programs; and accredit providers of continuing nursing education. In addition, ANCC’s Institute for Credentialing Innovation® provides leading-edge information and education services and products to support its core credentialing programs. www.nursecredentialing.org
1 Kimberly-Clark Health Care/Baylor Health Care System flu survey question 2 (data on file)
2 Kimberly-Clark Health Care/Baylor Health Care System flu survey question 3 (data on file)
3 Kimberly-Clark Health Care/Baylor Health Care System flu survey question 13 (data on file)
4http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/disease.htm
5http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/estimates_2009_h1n1.htm#Method
6 Kimberly-Clark Health Care/Baylor Health Care System flu survey question 7 (data on file)
7 Kimberly-Clark Health Care/Baylor Health Care System flu survey question 4 (data on file)
8 Kimberly-Clark Health Care/Baylor Health Care System flu survey question 12 (data on file)
9 Kimberly-Clark Health Care/Baylor Health Care System flu survey question 10 (data on file)
10 Kimberly-Clark Health Care/Baylor Health Care System flu survey question 9 (data on file)
11 Kimberly-Clark Health Care/Baylor Health Care System flu survey question 6 (data on file)
12 Kimberly-Clark Health Care/Baylor Health Care System flu survey question 7 (data on file)
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