Proposed Topic (Most preferred): :
Staff Engagement and Empowerment (motivating staff / teamwork / work revamp tackling manpower issue / staff wellness / OSH / retention)
Authors (including presenting author) :
Chan LN(1), Chan WY(1), Lam MY(1), Chau YS(1), Cheung LP(1), Ho WY(1), Lau YC(1), Leung CY(1), Poon TY(1), Shiu YK(1), Tsang LF(1), Wong TH(1), Chan PW(1), Luk MHM(1), Pun LY(1), Wong KW(1), Wong SN(1), Wong TK(1), Too LC(1), Yeung SW(1), Yu CC(1), Lai KPL(1), Fung HT(1), Chan PF(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Department of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care (FM&PHC), Kowloon East Cluster (KEC)
Introduction :
Healthcare workers are recommended to receive SIV annually to reduce morbidity and absenteeism. SIV in healthcare workers can also reduce the risk of transmitting influenza to patients who are at high risk of complications and mortality. Department of FM&PHC in KEC is one of the biggest clinical departments in cluster with about 500 staff. In order to boost up the staff vaccination rate, several strategies were implemented in the Department since September 2023 with an aim to establish a universal flu vaccination barrier to prevent disease transmission in clinics and to maximize workplace wellness during the winter surge period.
Objectives :
To boost up staff SIV rate in the Department.
Methodology :
Strategies to promote staff SIV included:
1. To recruit SIV ambassadors of each rank in each clinic to reinforce peer influence
2. To visit each clinic proactively by senior nursing staff in the Department to encourage staff to receive SIV
3. To discuss with staff on the plan for SIV promotion by clinic doctor and nurse in-charge
4. To address unvaccinated staff’s concerns and myths and contact the staff regularly by clinic doctor and nurse-in-charge
5. To monitor the staff vaccination rate by regular reporting to Department senior management
6. To refer unvaccinated staff with medical concerns to clinics doctor-in-charge for assessment and advice
7. To display staff SIV posters and statistics in the staff areas for promotion
Result & Outcome :
Results
Up to 30th November 2023, 348 out of 494 staff had received SIV in our Department. The overall SIV uptake rate was significantly improved from 42.8% to 70.4% as compared with year 22/23. Compared with last year, the SIV uptake rates of clerical, nursing and medical staff were significantly increased from 13.6% to 60%; 36% to 79% and 48% to 77% respectively. Among all Family Medicine clinics, Tseung Kwan O (TKO) Jockey Club General Out-patient Clinic (GOPC) and TKO Po Ning Road GOPC had the highest staff vaccination rate of 100% and 93% respectively. The vaccination rate of Family Medicine Clinic in United Christian Hospital (UCH), Lam Tin GOPC and Ngau Tau Kok GOPC also ranked within the top ten in UCH with a vaccination rate of 88%, 76% and 68% respectively.
Conclusion
Staff SIV rate was enhanced significantly and successfully after the implementation of proactive measures in the Department to achieve the protection from influenza for our staff and patients.
