Flu Vaccine Clinic Readiness Checklist

Here is our annual Flu Vaccine Checklist that we pull off the shelf each August with updated links to help us think about a “Flu Clinic in the Age of COVID” with a special shout out to @skressly whose webinar we are making mandatory listening to key staff involved in our flu clinic readiness.

Link to the checklist which I am updating as needed: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZbIIxkE7_35l3BzwYSLneUe9ZJ33P3YuFJlnXaFstOs/edit?usp=sharing

Below are 3 sections of resources:

  1. Important Links

  2. Readiness Checklist (pre-COVID)

  3. Links to resources that will help us prepare for clinics in the age of COVID (it is MANDATORY that you review this section)

1. Important Links

CDC Information Landing page for Influenza (last updated July 31, 2020)

CDC Flu Vaccine Recommendations for 2019-2020 (last updated October 3, 2019)

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/acip/index.htm

Cover Your Cough Brochure (January 23, 2019)

CDC Influenza Prevention Guidelines (last updated October 9, 2019)

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/consumer/prevention.htm

Current VIS Sheet (Edition Date: August, 15, 2019)

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/flu.html

Screening Questionnaire and Consent

Standing Orders Policy and Procedure

Medical Management of Adverse Reactions

2. GTP Readiness Checklist (pre-COVID):

  1. Workflow for visit type- create/update
  2. Order sets- create/update in EMR
  3. Fee schedule udpate in EMR
  4. Employee flu vaccine- policy review
  5. Clinics establish dates
  6. Questionnaires updated and available in EMR/automated check in screening
  7. Self-scheduling capability
  8. Communication with patients- population health campaign; constant contact
  9. Capacity report
  10. Review Standing Orders Policy and Procedure

3. Readiness for Flu Vaccine Clinics is a COVID-world:

  1. Webinar with Dr Susan Kressly: https://www.officepracticum.com/resources/engaged/navigating-flu-season-during-a-pandemic-1041?mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWlRBeU9EWmhOMk13Tm1VNCIsInQiOiIyV0FhK3l6dHpwdWhZZHA4WWN1dEtaRVJzYnhRQ1dFRVdWYmR5MnhJWEI5cnVKNnBWY2ttdVZKbEN6Z1NtUmRMUWF0VStCS3VqRXVHWlwvWXo3ekc2TnR0MU1oanZPQzdxVmVhTVRUcVpmRVN0QzBGRUJqYTNKaEs2djBcL2pQemRyIn0%3D

  2. CDC Guidance for Planning Offsite Clinics (updated July 23, 2020) https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/admin/mass-clinic-activities/index.html?deliveryName=USCDC_7_3-DM33813

  3. Checklist for Offsite Clinics (https://www.izsummitpartners.org/content/uploads/2017/02/NAIIS-Vaccination-Clinic-Checklist_v2.pdf)

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Thank you Misha, very helpful!!

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This is amazing. Thank you!

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So helpful! Thank you!

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This is amazing!

Very helpful! Are you adding any additional questions to your contraindication screening / consent form? i.e. COVID positive? positive exposure within last 14 days? current temperature?

@jdybdal we use Phreesia for remote check in and the flu vaccine visit type will have both the COVID risk screening and the flu screening questions loaded to be asked as part of the check in process.

We use Phreesia as well. Some of my pediatricians are questioning the need for the COVID screening for drive-thru flu clinics. They want to just have signs at the site and not have patients do the phreesia screen (stating that it takes too long and slows down the flow - patients not filling out the forms prior to arriving). Any thoughts on this?

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@achaffin I think in this case there are a lot of right answers and so much depends on your particular variables.

In my dream world, all check in is completed prior to the visit (which then includes COVID screening, as well as the flu vaccine questionnaire) and the vaccine is scanned with the bar code scanner prior to administration.

From my perspective, it is an efficient way to check all the safety boxes.

In the real world, I have had to trust the RN staff who I know are equally committed to patient safety and to the safety of their co-workers, and are the ones doing the work. In our organization, we give a lot of latitude to the people doing the work to instruct our workflows.

As long as everyone is equally committed to safety and quality outcomes and are willing to be held accountable for those outcomes, then the organization will be stronger in the long run for letting the people who do the work specify the processes.

In this case, the RNs are more comfortable sometimes verbally asking the questions and putting the bar code scan on a piece of paper next to the patient’s name. I don’t love that solution, but I respect the team. It doesn’t mean I don’t stop asking questions :blush: :slight_smile:

So, short answer, if the people doing the work think they have a better way that still meets the organization’s safety and quality standards, then you will be happier in the long run if you listen to them.