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Enhancing Employee Influenza Immunization in a Tertiary-Care Healthcare Setting in the Middle East Using Epic Express Lane Workflow

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 November 2020

Lyssette Cardona
Affiliation:
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Shafii Mohammed
Affiliation:
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Aileen Federico
Affiliation:
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
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Abstract

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Background: Influenza virus illness affects millions. The virus’s ability to change yearly and its dependence on private manufacturing leads to major challenges immunizing populations. Currently the United States expects to distribute close to 162–168 million doses of influenza vaccine to the market (CDC, October 25, 2019) to immunize the population for the 2019–2020 season. In line with international best practice, our healthcare facility mandated the seasonal influenza vaccine for all employees. We set out to introduce a novel nursing workflow to enhance our Flu Campaign utilizing our Epic Systems healthcare software. Methods: The Epic Flu Express Lane function boosts provider satisfaction and efficiency by minimizing documentation time. Nurses can document the entire flu visit on a single screen with a few clicks. Workflow: An employee presents at the flu station registration desk and a scheduler creates an appointment as a Flu Visit type. After a nurse opens the chart, the system determines whether a Flu Express Lane order is a fit for the visit, launching the Express Lane activity. The nurse updates all relevant information and finally drops in the administration charge associated with the appropriate diagnosis code for the vaccine, to sign into the Express Lane. Establishment of dedicated and mobile employee flu stations: Immunizations are provided at several stations located inside the hospital and alternate sites, including the our cafeteria. Additionally, the flu team extended immunizations off site at our administrative building and an unoccupied inpatient floor, giving hospital employees easier access. Integration of Epic and human capital resource planning systems: By integrating the Epic and Mawared Human Capital systems, the flu team developed an automated workflow to capture employee compliance. A daily extract from Epic is imported to Mawared updating employee compliance status to completed. For those with incomplete status, Mawared sends an automated notification via e-mail reminding employees to complete the flu vaccination process for the season. Results: The Epic Nursing Express Lane workflow was well received, it facilitated compliance and practice efficiency for all mobile services provided. We achieved our target to provide influenza vaccination to >95% of employees in 2019 (Fig. 2). Conclusions: The electronic health record Epic Flu Express Lane workflow is an effective tool to complement practice efficiency and to facilitate a successful mobile Flu Campaign compliance in healthcare facilities.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None

Type
Poster Presentations
Copyright
© 2020 by The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. All rights reserved.