Flu Information for Healthcare Facility Managers

The best way to protect staff and patients from the flu is to strongly encourage all healthcare workers and patients to get a flu shot every year. 

What You Should Do

Encourage Flu Vaccination Among Healthcare Workers

Healthcare facility managers can encourage flu vaccination among staff by establishing a culture of prevention within the organization and making flu vaccination accessible and convenient for all staff.

The Rhode Island Department of Health Healthcare Worker Immunization Toolkit provides resources to help healthcare facilities and organizations promote vaccination among their staff and design and implement effective staff immunization programs.

Prevent the Spread of Flu During an Outbreak

At residential facilities such as nursing homes and assisted living residences, patients have a particularly high risk of infections and complications during flu outbreaks. 

The Respiratory Virus Guidance for Congregate Living Settings summarizes the Rhode Island Department of Health’s (RIDOH’s) recommendations for congregate living settings to respond to and control respiratory viruses such as flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Congregate living settings include long-term care facilities, assisted living residences, group homes, and correctional or detention facilities. This guidance also includes recommendations for settings that provide skilled nursing care, such as nursing homes and some ALRs with limited medical licenses.

Report Healthcare Worker Flu Vaccination Rates

RIDOH requires healthcare facilities it regulates to report the flu vaccination status of their healthcare workers annually. Reporting takes place between April 1 and May 15 through a web-based survey. RIDOH sends the form to the facility's contact listed with the Center for Health Facilities Regulation. Healthcare facility managers should ensure that the listed contact is always up to date.