Influenza Vaccinations Continue to Increase Among Utah Healthcare Workers

(Salt Lake City, UT) – The Utah Department of Health (UDOH) released the annual Healthcare Worker (HCW) Influenza Vaccination Coverage Report for HCWs in licensed* Utah hospitals. The report shows healthcare worker coverage rates have consistently increased, from 75.5 percent in 2008 to 96.7 percent in 2015.

The report lists all reporting licensed Utah hospitals, along with their influenza vaccination rates for hospital HCWs, for the 2014-2015 influenza season. It is available on the UDOH Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) website at http://health.utah.gov/epi/diseases/HAI/HCW_flu/2014-2015_HCW_Influenza_Rpt.pdf.

“Influenza is a serious infection, and unvaccinated healthcare workers who become infected can put patients at risk for serious complications,” said Sherry Varley, HAI Program Manager, UDOH.

The UDOH and UHIP GC recognize that influenza vaccination of healthcare personnel is a critical patient safety practice. Both agree that compulsory influenza vaccination for HCWs should be implemented in all healthcare facilities unless a healthcare facility has achieved a vaccination rate of 95 percent or greater by some other means.

In November 2007, the UDOH adopted a Healthcare Associated Infections reporting rule (Rule‐386‐705, Epidemiology, Healthcare Associated Infection). This rule requires that hospitals report healthcare worker influenza vaccination rates.

This report was developed by the UDOH in partnership with the Utah Healthcare Infection Prevention Governance Committee (UHIP GC). It will allow Utahns to compare influenza vaccination rates for healthcare workers among licensed hospitals in Utah.

In April 2011, the UHIP GC recommended that all healthcare delivery facilities in
Utah implement a policy of compulsory annual influenza vaccination for all healthcare personnel. While Utah hospitals are not required to have mandatory influenza vaccination programs for healthcare workers, 78 percent of Utah healthcare facilities that reported have compulsory programs in place; and of those, 96 percent have HCW influenza vaccination rates of 90 percent or greater. “It is clear that facilities that implement compulsory influenza vaccination policies for employees have higher HCW influenza vaccination rates than those who do not,” said Varley. Healthcare organizations that do not have an effective HCW influenza vaccination policy are strongly encouraged to develop one.

Visit http://health.utah.gov/epi/diseases/HAI/UHIP/ for more information about UHIP GC members.

*Licensed hospitals include acute care, long-term acute care, critical access, rehabilitation, psychiatric, government and children’s hospitals.

Media Contact:
Rebecca Ward
(o) 801-538-6682
(c) 801-352-1270

Safe Kids Coalitions Offer Safety Information Throughout Utah

(Salt Lake City) – In Utah, more kids ages 0-19 die each year from preventable injuries than from any other cause. Between 2011-2013 there was an average of 78 deaths each year among kids 0-19 in Utah. Nationwide, more than 8,000 families will lose a child to a preventable injury this year; and worldwide, more than one million families will suffer the same tragedy. Millions more children will be injured in ways that will affect them for a lifetime. 

Safe Kids Utah is participating in a nationwide celebration during April and May that includes more than 175 events nationwide aimed at promoting safety and preventing injuries. Here in Utah, Safe Kids coalitions across the state will participate in several events focused on preventing injuries and saving lives. Utah’s events will focus on preventing head injuries through helmet use and education on how to recognize the signs of a brain injury.

“Safe Kids Day has one simple, but critical goal: working together as a community to raise awareness about preventable injuries so kids can grow up to do all the great things kids were meant to do,” says Cambree Applegate, Coordinator of Safe Kids Utah. “These events are a time to celebrate kids and make learning about preventable injuries fun.”   

Events will be held:

• Wednesday, April 22 – Community Safety and Grandparents Event from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Castleview Hospital (300 Hospital Drive, Price)

• Thursday, April 23 – Car Seat Checkpoint from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Redwood Recreation Center (3060 Lester Street, Salt Lake City)

• Saturday, April 25 – Safe Kids Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Newgate Mall in Ogden (36th St. and Wall Avenue, Ogden)

• Saturday, April 25 – Safety Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at La Verkin City Park (300 North State Street, La Verkin)

• Saturday, April 25 – Safe Kids Recycling Round-Up from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Harmon’s South Jordan (10507 South Redwood Road, South Jordan)

• Saturday, May 2 – UTA Bike Day with the Mayor of Springville City starting at 9:30 a.m. at Springville Civic Center (110 South Main Street, Springville)  

• Saturday, May 2 – Safe Kids Day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Davis County Legacy Events Center at the county’s fairgrounds (151 South 1100 West, Farmington)

• Friday, May 8 – Car seat checkpoint from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Mt. Nebo Market (965 North Main St. Nephi)

• Saturday, May 9 – Smithfield Health Day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Forrester Acres (100 North 500 West, Smithfield)

• Saturday, May 9 – Safe Kids Health and Safety Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Southfield Park (1200 West Midway Lane, Heber)

• Saturday, May 9 – UTA Bike Day with the Mayor of Orem City from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Palisade Park (850 North Palisade Drive (1300 East))

• Saturday, May 9 – Car Seat Checkpoint from 10 a.m. to noon at Mountainlands Community Health Clinic (589 South State Street, Provo)

• Tuesday, May 12 – UTA Bike to Work Day in Provo City from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Historic County Courthouse west lawn (University Avenue and Center Street, Provo)

• Wednesday, May 27  – Safety Day from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at South Summit Elementary School (535 East 300 South, Kamas)

• Saturday, May, 30  – Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Safety from 10 a.m. to noon at Weller Recreation (936 West Highway 248, Kamas)

• Saturday, June 6 – Tooele Health and Safety Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Macey’s (972 North Main Street, Tooele)

• Saturday, June 13 – Community Health Fair from 9 a.m. to noon at Riverton Hospital (3773 West 12600 South, Riverton)

For more information on preventing head injuries and other accidental injuries go to http://health.utah.gov/vipp.

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Media Contact:

Cambree Applegate

Safe Kids Utah Coordinator

(o) 801-538-6852

(m) 435-862-8773

 

Huntsman Sentencing a Reminder of 'Safe Haven' for Newborns

(Salt Lake City, UT) – The sentencing yesterday of Megan Huntsman, who took the lives of her six newborns following their births, is a tragedy that could have been prevented by knowing the resources that are available in communities throughout Utah. It is never too late to remind women and girls that there is help for unwanted and unintended pregnancies. 

“The very sad story of Megan Huntsman doesn’t have to happen,” said Rep. Patrice Arent, D-Salt Lake who sponsored the Safe Have legislation in 2001. “Safe Haven is an important law that saves babies’ lives by allowing a new mother to drop off her baby at any hospital, no questions asked. The infant will be cared for and placed in foster care until adopted.”

”Mothers need to know the importance of getting services for drug and alcohol dependence,” says Julia Robertson, Manager of the Utah Department of Health’s Safe Haven program. “The state’s local health departments are excellent resources for treatment,” she added. 

In addition to receiving newborns, Utah hospitals with emergency rooms are required to deliver a baby if a mother comes to the facility saying she wants to have her baby there and then relinquish custody.

Since 2001, dozens of newborns have been saved by courageous mothers who chose to give their children a better chance at life through the Safe Haven law. Families should also be aware of crisis nurseries throughout the state that can be found by calling 2-1-1.   For more information, visit www.utahsafehaven.org. 

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Media Contacts:

Cyndi Bemis, UDOH

801-538-6924

Rep. Patrice Arent

801-889-7849

 

30 Years of Advancing Health Equity

(Salt Lake City, UT) – The Utah Department of Health Office of Health Disparities (OHD) is commemorating National Minority Health Month throughout April with a series of community-based programs that include preventive screenings and a new birth outcomes pilot program that highlights health disparities affecting the growing number vulnerable populations.

OHD has partnered with three community agencies in Provo and Salt Lake City – Centro Hispano, Hui Hawai‘i o Utah Hawaiian Civic Club, and the Somali Community Self-Management Agency – to provide free screenings for cholesterol, glucose, and blood pressure at sites in Salt Lake City, West Valley City, and Provo.  

           

The OHD also recently partnered with the Queen Center on a pilot program to address the high infant mortality rate among Utah Pacific Islanders. This program is the first of its kind in the state to offer culturally responsive workshops and activities to teach Pacific Islander families about the seriousness of infant mortality. The program also educates participants about factors that help promote healthy pregnancies and births, including prenatal care, maternal wellness, family communication, and stress management.

According to facilitators and more than 30 participants, the six-week pilot program was a success. The OHD focus going forward will be to collaborate with the Bureau of Maternal and Infant Health to improve upon and expand similar interventions with Pacific Islander communities.   

The theme of this year’s National Minority Health Month is “30 Years of Advancing Health Equity,” which highlights the first US Department of Health and Human Services report on minority health, known as the “Heckler Report,” in 1985.

More information on National Minority Health Month can be found at www.health.utah.gov/disparities.

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The mission of the Utah Department of Health is to protect the public's health through

preventing avoidable illness, injury, disability and premature death, assuring access to

affordable, quality health care, and promoting healthy lifestyles.

Media Contact:

Jake Fitisemanu

Office of Health Disparities

Outreach Coordinator

(385) 315 0220

UDOH Issues Tri County Adverse Birth Outcome Study

(Salt Lake City, UT) – The Utah Department of Health (UDOH) today issued a final report evaluating adverse birth outcomes (ABOs) in the Tri County Health District (TCHD), which covers Daggett, Duchesne, and Uintah counties. The TCHD requested the analysis last year after residents in the area reported a perceived increase in the number of stillbirths and infant deaths in the area.

UDOH investigators collected birth records from 1991-2013 to determine if the rate of ABOs in the Tri County area was higher than the rate experienced in the rest of the state. The ABOs included in the study were low-birth weight, premature birth, small-for-gestational age, infant deaths, and stillbirths. 

Statewide, approximately 16 percent of all pregnancies result in an ABO each year. In the TCHD area, the study found approximately 20 percent of pregnancies each year resulted in an ABO. However, when the study controlled for risk factors that can increase the likelihood of an ABO, such as teen pregnancy, maternal weight, race and ethnicity, maternal use of tobacco, alcohol or drugs, and maternal chronic health conditions, there was no evidence that the overall rate of ABOs in TCHD was higher than in other parts of the state.

The study did reveal periodic, increased risk for some ABOs, including:

• The number of stillbirths exceeded the state average in the final time period of the study, further analysis will be needed to determine if this elevation is an isolated variation, 

• Small-for-gestational age births were elevated in almost all time periods, and significantly elevated in some,

• The study also revealed several important risk factors that can lead to poor birth outcomes are more common in Tri County than in the rest of the state (namely, tobacco use and diabetes among expectant mothers).

While the statistical differences for these specific outcomes were small, the overall trend does present reason for concern.

“Although the statistical differences between the TriCounty area and the state are minimal when it comes to adverse health outcomes, there are obviously patterns that raise some concerns for public health locally,” said TCHD Executive Director Jordan Mathis. “It is important that we take measures to better understand these patterns through continued monitoring and evaluation.  However, many of the risk factors that contribute to ABOs are controllable, and the department will maintain its efforts to educate and promote programs we know can have a positive impact on reducing the risk for ABOs. We look forward to working with the community to determine what the next steps should be in helping to ensure babies born in the Uintah Basin are as healthy as possible.”

While the report did not attempt to link any ABOs to specific causes, the most important risk factors that typically lead to an ABO include chronic health conditions of the mother, such as diabetes, tobacco use, and inadequate prenatal care.

The UDOH committed to revisit the study in another two years to help better understand and monitor the situation. The full report is available online at http://health.utah.gov/enviroepi/appletree/TriCountyABO.

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Media Contacts:

Tom Hudachko
Utah Department of Health

(o) 801-538-6232 (m) 801-560-4649

Jeramie Tubbs

Tri County Health Department

(m) 435-822-3061