The Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services issued the following news release:
Noting that September 21-27 is Adult Immunization Week, state health officials today praised the efforts of 107 health care facilities that immunized at least 80 percent of their employees against influenza last year and encouraged more to do so this year.
'Reaching an 80 percent immunization rate is a tremendous accomplishment, and we want to recognize such dedication to patient safety,' said Secretary Karen Timberlake. 'We also want to encourage more health care staff to get immunized. Sick health care workers can pose a serious threat to patients, and immunization of hospital and nursing home workers against influenza reduces the risk of illness, even death, for their patients.'
In 2005, the Division of Public Health began its effort to help hospitals and nursing homes in the state immunize more of their employees against influenza. That year, only 32 state facilities reached the 80 percent mark. In 2006, that number increased to 64. In 2007, a total of 107 hospitals and nursing homes reported that at least 80 percent of their employees were immunized against influenza.
Nationally, only about 40 percent of health care workers get the flu shot each year, despite strong evidence that residents in long term care facilities are less likely to become ill or die when their care providers are immunized against influenza.
Despite steady improvement, the challenge remains to persuade the 105 Wisconsin hospitals and 326 nursing homes that have not yet reached the 80 percent mark that immunization of their staff against influenza is an important step in maintaining a safe environment for their patients.
'Health care staff immunization is one of the most effective tools we have to reduce illness and mortality in Wisconsin,' Timberlake said. 'It's a message that we have to convey to all Wisconsin health care facilities.'
Please note: a list of the 80 Percent Club members from 2007 is attached.
2007 Hospitals
Hospitals - County
Cumberland Hospital - Barron
Lakeview Medical Center - Barron
Luther Midelfort Northland - Barron
Luther Midelfort Chippewa Valley Mayo Health System - Chippewa
St Joseph Hospital - Chippewa
Prairie du Chien Memorial - Crawford
Select Specialty Hospital - Dane
Stoughton Hospital - Dane
Red Cedar Medical Center - Dunn
Luther Midelfort Mayo Health System - Eau Claire
Sacred Heart - Eau Claire
Ripon Medical Center - Fond du Lac
Southwest Health Center - Grant
Upland Hills Health - Iowa
Black River Memorial Hospital - Jackson
Aurora Medical Center Manitowoc Co - Manitowoc
Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare St Joseph EL - Milwaukee
Tomah Memorial - Monroe
Appleton Medical Center - Outagamie
Osceola Medical Center - Polk
St Croix Regional MC - Polk
Flambeau Price
Aurora Memorial Hospital of Burlington - Racine
The Richland Hospital - Richland
Reedsburg Area Medical Center - Sauk
St Clare Hospital and Health Services - Sauk
Hayward Area Memorial Hospital - Sawyer
Shawano Medical Center - Shawano
Aurora Medical Center Sheboygan - Sheboygan
River Falls Area Hospital - St. Croix
Luther Midelfort Oakridge - Trempealeau
Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital - Waukesha
Aurora Medical Center Oshkosh - Winnebago
Childrens Hospital of Wisconsin - Fox Valley Winnebago
Riverview Hospital Association - Wood
2007 Nursing Homes
Nursing Homes - County
Ashland Health & Rehab Center - Ashland
Mellen Manor - Ashland
Heritage Manor - Barron
Luther Midelfort Northland - Barron
Santa Maria - Brown
St Michaels - Buffalo
Chippewa Manor - Chippewa
Cornell Area Care Center - Chippewa
Luther Midelfort Chippewa Valley - Chippewa
Belmont Nursing & Rehab - Dane
Karmenta Center - Dane
Nazareth Health and Rehab - Dane
Oak Park Place - Dane
Rest Haven HCC - Dane
St Marys Care Center - Dane
Waunakee Manor Health Care Center - Dane
Golden Living - Dodge
Marquardt Memorial Manor - Dodge
Door County Nursing Home - Door
Good Samaritan Scandia Village - Door
Villa Marina - Douglas
Grancare Inc - Fond du Lac
Southwest Health Center Grant
Markesan Resident Home - Green Lake
Bloomfield Manor - Iowa
Upland Hills Nursing & Rehab - Iowa
Countryside Home - Jefferson
Willowbrook - Jefferson
Fairview Home - Juneau
Heritage Manor - Juneau
Grande Prairie Health & Rehab - Kenosha
Onalaska Care Center - La Crosse
Pine Crest Nursing Home - Lincoln
Shady Lane Inc - Manitowoc
Kennedy Park Medical & Rehab Center - Marathon
Montello Care Center - Marquette
Alexian Village of Milwaukee - Milwaukee
Mary Jude - Milwaukee
Mercy Residential & Rehab Center - Milwaukee
Wisconsin Lutheran - Milwaukee
Morrow Memorial Home - Monroe
Woodland Village Nursing Home Oconto
Brewster Village Outagamie
Rennes Health & Rehab - Outagamie
Heritage of Elmwood - Pierce
Prescott Nursing and Rehab Community - Pierce
Spring Valley - Pierce
LO Simenstad NCU - Polk
Portage County Health Care Center - Portage
Becker Shoop Center - Racine
Mt Carmel Medical & Rehab Center - Racine
Oak Ridge Care Center - Racine
Pine Valley Healthcare & Rehab Center - Richland
Schmitt Woodland Hills - Richland
Mercy Manor Transition Center - Rock
Greenway Manor - Sauk
Ridgeview Terrace - Sauk
St Clare Meadows Care Center - Sauk
Hayward Area Nursing - Home Sawyer
Birch Hill Care Center - Shawano
Baldwin Care Center - St. Croix
Luther Midelfort Oakridge - Trempealeau
Norseland - Vernon
Aspirus Lillian Kerr Healthcare - Vilas
Geneva Lake Manor - Walworth
Holton Manor - Walworth
Cedar Lake Health & Rehab Center - Washington
Linden Grove Menomonee Falls - Waukesha
Muskego Health Care Center - Waukesha
Wild Rose Manor - Waushara
Oakridge Gardens - Winnebago
Vallhaven Care - WinnebagoContact: Stephanie Marquis, 608/266-1683.
Stephanie Marquis, 608/266-1683.
