Marking a dramatic turnaround in just two years, The Scarborough Hospital rated the second highest in flu vaccine compliance among Toronto’s acute care hospitals, according to an annual report by Toronto Public Health.

“Our compliance rate for 2010/2011 is 45 per cent (General campus) and 46 per cent (Birchmount campus), placing us second out of 18 acute care hospitals in Toronto,” says Yvonne Walfall, Manager, Occupational Health & Disability Management at TSH. “That’s a huge improvement over 2008/2009, when we were at the bottom of the list at 24 per cent and 29 per cent.”

In the report, ‘Influenza Rates of Healthcare Workers in Toronto Healthcare Facilities,’ only University Health Network (UHN) rated higher than TSH in flu vaccine compliance. 

This year’s TSH campaign, with its catchy theme, ‘Stick It to the Flu,’ was a combination of excellent communications and easier access to the flu shot for all staff.

“We had the resources we needed, for staffing clinics, space to set up flu clinics, top-of-the-line needles, mobile carts roaming 24/7 and lots of communications,” explains Occupational Health Nurse Campaign and Clinical Lead Teresa McCormack. “And it’s not about the free coffee vouchers, but about relating to hospital employees, teaching them what they need to know.”

While the flu vaccine is not mandatory for hospital staff, the key was to ensure staff made informed choices.

“We took the time to sit down with people in the units, addressed their concerns one-on-one, and educate them on the facts about the flu vaccine,” Yvonne says. “That personal touch made a huge difference in the success of this year’s flu vaccine campaign.”

-30-

For more information, please contact:

Cindy Woods, Communications Officer, Corporate Communications

The Scarborough Hospital

(416) 438-2911 ext. 6594   cwoods@tsh.to