October 14, 2005

MGH helps patients, employees fight the flu

With the flu season rapidly approaching, the MGH is preparing by making sure patients are able to get the flu vaccine while hospitalized and ensuring employees, staff and volunteers are able to get vaccinated through the annual employee flu clinics (see related article).

Clinicians will be able to order the flu vaccine through the Provider Order Entry (POE) system beginning Oct. 18. This program provides patients the opportunity to get vaccinated while hospitalized as a primary preventative measure and to provide a safety net for patients who are unable to obtain a flu vaccine in another setting.

A "pop-up" screen will appear in POE for the first provider (physician, resident, nurse practitioner or physician assistant) to write orders for a patient who is age 50 or older. The provider has the option of accepting, declining or deferring the order for up to five days. On the sixth day, a decision to accept or decline the order must be made. When the vaccine is ordered, the nurse will screen the patient for eligibility. This program will be offered until March 31, 2006.

For more information, contact Janet Madigan, MS, RN, at (617) 726-3109.