Balancing the Juggling Act of Staffing and Safety
The proximity of healthcare staff to patients during the vaccination process is a concern to your healthcare department, as they play a vital role in the fight against the pandemic.
You cannot be without your healthcare employees, nor risk putting them in danger. Furthermore, stats from AP News show that you’re at risk of litigation. You’re in a conundrum. In history’s largest and fastest vaccination rollout program, you’re unsure how to set about maintaining a safe and efficient vaccination team.
Here, we discuss the four stages of ensuring you keep your healthcare staff safe in the vaccine department.
1. Planning
Planning is key and will vary depending on your clinic, your target population, whether your patients are the public or groups, and how many vaccinations you’re set to achieve. Consider the following factors:
· Leadership and Staffing
Identify roles required and define their responsibilities.
· Clinical Staffing
Clearly set role and responsibility, including vaccination administration, patient education, flow of clinic, security, reporting, storing, and handling, etc. (See CDC guidelines.)
· Clinic Location & Layout
Consider population, environmental conditions, and site capability, such as waiting areas, walkthrough/drive-through etc.
· Coordination with Partners
You can get assistance from government entities (such as state/local immunization programs and public health preparedness programs) and non-profit/private organizations.
2. Pre-Vaccine Tasks
Once the purpose of your clinic has been established and staffed with clearly defined roles, you must identify the resources you need for the clinic and healthcare staff to operate:
· Supplies and Materials
From PPE to screening forms and office supplies, sharps containers, tables, and chairs. Ensure adequate supplies and materials to maximize the clinic layout, such as barriers and screening stations. (See CDC guidelines for full list.)
· Vaccine Storage/Handling
Equipment to maintain correct storage temperatures and conditions. Contingency plan for delayed or compromised vaccines. Correct handling and disposal should be accommodated – refer to the CDC Vaccine and Storage Handling Toolkit.
· Training
Ensure healthcare staff feel competent and knowledgeable for all processes and procedures, and in answering patient questions. (See checklist.)
· Promotion
Clarify who the clinic is for and how they can register, considering signage and communication channels.
· Electronic Testing
Ensure all technology equipment can connect and operate, including 2D barcode readers.
· Security
Crowd management with security staff, designated protection areas for healthcare staff and their belongings.
3. During Vaccinations
While most successful clinics are achieved through planning stages, the following factors must be considered during vaccinations:
· Handling and Storage
Maintaining and monitoring correct procedures as planned.
· General Operations
Ensure that social distancing and enhanced cross-infection control measures are adhered to. Communicate updated wait times, and all healthcare staff must wear ID.
· Vaccination Process
Ensure correct screening, distribution, signed consent, vaccine preparation, patient flow, documentation, and post-observations are all implemented.
· End of Clinic
Correct disposal of vaccine sharps, and continued correct handling and storage of remaining vaccines to minimize inexcusable waste.
4. Post-Vaccination
Ensure your clinic is prepared for the following protocols:
- Following vaccination, each patient must receive a record of the vaccine administered.
- Clarify your state or local immunization program’s policy for submitting vaccination records.
- It is crucial that all medical information is stored in a secure location for protection of privacy.
- Ensure all suspected adverse events are reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).
- Create an after-action report (AAR) to allow recommendations and improvements to be made.
Can You Insist Healthcare Staff Are Vaccinated?
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) says that yes, you can, unless an individual falls under either of the following exemptions:
- The Americans with Disabilities Act
- The Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (where a sincere religious belief leads an employee against being vaccinated)
For exempt employees, you may find alternative ways to accommodate their employment, such as clerical work away from exposure or patients. You must not dismiss them.
Those who are non-exempt must not refuse a vaccination based on personal or political views. However, while fear of side effects is causing many healthcare staff to choose not to be vaccinated, some providers are avoiding vaccine mandates in fear of litigation until further research on side effects has been conducted.
Instead, their approach is to highly recommend their healthcare professionals to be vaccinated in the fight to protect staff, patients, the workplace, and indeed the United States.
Keep Your Healthcare Staff Safe
It’s a tough time for healthcare providers as they try to balance patient needs, employee safety, and the biggest vaccination rollout in history in the middle of a pandemic.
Staffing levels are undoubtedly a logistical issue. Finding experienced staff who need little or no training to work in your vaccine teams is crucial. Hiring for fluctuating demand is equally critical.
Contact LoyalSource to help alleviate the heavy weight of hiring, so that you can focus on executing ever-changing policies and procedures for advanced patient care.