General Data Company, Inc., which specializes in barcode-based error-proofing and tracking system solutions, is offering a new mobile application to help healthcare organizations administer employee vaccinations and track the immunization status of their personnel for H1N1, influenza, and other vaccinations. This new system eliminates paper forms and electronically tracks all details of immunizations that are administered to healthcare personnel. Organizations can now have accurate and updated information on their employee immunization programs to help prevent further infection among patients and staff, and streamline existing patient care within their facilities.
The introduction of the E.V-Trax Employee Vaccination Tracking System (http://www.general-data.com/healthcare/solutions/evtrax.aspx) coincides with the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) efforts to improve vaccination rates amongst healthcare personnel and HHS’ goal of reaching the Healthy People 2010 objective of a 60 percent vaccination rate. In 2007, vaccination rates were less than 50 percent for healthcare workers.
As stated in a 2008 position paper published by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), “Healthcare personnel (HCP) are at high risk for acquiring influenza infection due to their exposure to ill patients as well as their exposure in the community. Because those persons who are at greatest risk of developing complications of influenza are exposed to healthcare personnel in a variety of in patient and outpatient settings, an important strategy to decrease exposure to these high risk individuals is to immunize healthcare workers…. A recent study using a probability model from 2003 data estimated that annual influenza epidemics account for 610,660 life–years lost, 3.1 million days of hospitalization and 31.4 million outpatient visits.”
With projections that H1N1 influenza could infect half of the U.S. population this year, HHS, APIC, and other agencies stress the importance of vaccinating healthcare workers in preparation for a possible H1N1 outbreak as the new school year begins.
“As hospitals and healthcare facilities gear up for H1N1 and flu season, this is an automated solution that can be installed with almost no interruption to the caregiving process,” said General Data Founder and President Peter Wenzel. “Healthcare providers will be able to know who’s been vaccinated and when, and they’ll be able to better utilize those personnel with no disruption to patient care, time, or cost.”