Vaccination, Staffing, and Sanitation: Preparing for the Double Threat of Flu & COVID-19

With flu season approaching and COVID-19 still present, healthcare facilities are once again faced with the challenge of protecting both patients and staff. This year, it’s more important than ever to be proactive and prepared. Here are some key strategies and actionable steps to help your facility navigate flu season and the continued presence of COVID-19 effectively, while maintaining high-quality care.

Understanding the Threat: Flu and COVID-19 by the Numbers

Before diving into practical solutions, it’s essential to understand the magnitude of the challenge. According to the CDC, flu season can range in severity, causing between 12,000 and 52,000 deaths annually in the U.S. During the 2019–2020 flu season alone, there were 38 million cases, leading to 400,000 hospitalizations. Now add COVID-19, which has contributed to over 1.1 million deaths in the U.S. since 2020, and it’s clear that healthcare facilities are facing significant demands during these overlapping viral threats.

Vaccination: Your First Line of Defense

Vaccination remains one of the most effective tools for preventing the spread of both the flu and COVID-19. The CDC estimates that during the 2022–2023 flu season, vaccines prevented 25,000 deaths and 9 million illnesses. Promoting and facilitating vaccination is critical for both patient and staff protection.

• Encourage staff vaccination: Offer flu shots and COVID-19 boosters onsite and make them convenient for staff to access. Hosting vaccination clinics during shift changes can increase participation.

• Promote patient vaccination: Inform patients about the availability of vaccines through email, text messages, and posted signs. Setting up a vaccination drive or making vaccines easily accessible for high-risk patients can further help reduce transmission.

  
  

Reinforce Hygiene and Sanitization Protocols

Maintaining rigorous hygiene and sanitization standards is crucial during flu season and ongoing COVID-19 surges. Proper hand hygiene can reduce infection rates by 40%, according to the WHO. Regularly reviewing and enforcing hygiene practices ensures your facility stays on top of infection prevention.

• Hand Hygiene: Place hand sanitizing stations in high-traffic areas and patient rooms. Encourage staff to clean their hands between patient interactions, and remind patients to use sanitizers as well.

• Environmental Cleaning: Increase the frequency of cleaning high-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs, bed rails, and medical equipment. The EPA has an updated list of COVID-19 disinfectants that are effective against both flu and COVID-19.

• PPE Usage: Ensure that personal protective equipment (PPE) guidelines are in place and that staff are following them properly. Masks, gloves, and other protective gear should be readily available, especially in high-risk areas.

  
  

Strategic Staffing: Preventing Burnout and Maintaining Quality Care

Staffing challenges are inevitable during flu season and COVID-19 spikes. Overworked staff are more prone to mistakes, illness, and burnout, which can affect the quality of care and increase the risk of malpractice occurrences. A survey from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses found that 92% of nurses alone reported increased burnout during the pandemic. Addressing these issues before they escalate is key to maintaining operational efficiency.

• Staff Rotation: Create schedules that allow for adequate rest and recovery. This will help reduce fatigue and lower the risk of errors.

• Utilize Locum Tenens: Consider bringing in locum tenens staff to support your permanent team. This can help reduce the strain on regular staff while ensuring continuity of care. Locum providers also have the opportunity to assist during peak times or explore new work environments.

• Prepare for Absences: Have contingency plans in place for when staff members need time off due to illness. A pre-vetted pool of part-time or locum staff will ensure that patient care continues without disruption.

  
  

Communication: Keeping Everyone Informed

Clear and consistent communication helps both staff and patients feel confident during uncertain times. By keeping everyone informed about the facility’s infection control strategies and changes in protocols, you can reduce anxiety and create a sense of preparedness.

• For Staff: Hold regular meetings to provide updates on infection control procedures, staffing needs, and available resources. Make sure leadership is available for questions and feedback, creating a supportive environment.

• For Patients: Use posters, email updates, and social media to communicate your facility’s infection prevention efforts. Offering telemedicine services where possible can also help minimize in-person visits and reduce transmission risk.

  
  

Be Ready to Pivot: Flexibility in Operations

If we’ve learned anything from recent years, it’s the importance of being adaptable. Plans will change, and having the ability to pivot quickly is essential for keeping things running smoothly during flu season and COVID-19 surges.

• Stockpile Essentials: Ensure you have enough PPE, testing supplies, and medications to handle sudden increases in demand. Having a well-stocked supply ensures that your facility won’t be caught off guard.

• Cross-Train Staff: Cross-training your staff to cover multiple roles can help keep operations running smoothly when one department is overwhelmed. This creates a more flexible and resilient workforce.

• Expand Telemedicine: If possible, offer telemedicine services to patients, particularly during peak flu and COVID-19 seasons. This not only reduces the strain on in-person services but also minimizes the risk of infection spread.

  
  

Stay Updated on Public Health Guidelines

Both flu and COVID-19 are constantly evolving, and public health guidelines change accordingly. Staying informed about the latest recommendations from the CDC, WHO, and local health authorities ensures that your facility is always compliant with current protocols.

• Designate a Health Coordinator: Assign someone to monitor updates from public health authorities and ensure that staff are informed of any changes.

• Adapt Quickly: Be prepared to implement changes as new information becomes available, such as adjusting visitation policies or modifying PPE requirements. Keeping your facility adaptable is key to maintaining smooth operations.

  
  

7. Prioritize Staff Well-being

Finally, don’t forget the well-being of your staff. Healthcare workers have faced enormous challenges over the past few years, and many continue to experience increased stress and burnout. Supporting their mental and physical health is critical to maintaining a resilient and effective workforce.

• Mental Health Support: Offer access to mental health resources, such as counseling services or employee assistance programs (EAPs). Make sure staff are aware of these resources and encourage their use.

• Promote Work-Life Balance: Encourage staff to take breaks and time off when needed. Offering flexible scheduling and reducing overtime can help prevent burnout during flu season and COVID-19 surges.

  
  

Be Proactive and Stay Prepared

Flu season and COVID-19 present significant challenges for healthcare facilities, but with proper preparation, your facility can continue to deliver high-quality care while keeping staff and patients safe. Focusing on vaccinations, hygiene protocols, staffing management, communication, and flexibility, your facility will be well-equipped to handle the pressures of the season.

Remember: a healthy staff means a healthy facility. Invest in preparation, support your team, and stay informed to ensure your healthcare facility remains a beacon of resilience and care through flu season and beyond. By following these steps and staying proactive, your facility will be ready to face whatever this flu season—and COVID-19—bring.

References:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2023). Flu & COVID-19 Statistics. cdc.gov

• World Health Organization (WHO). (2023). Infection Prevention Control. who.int

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2022). COVID-19 Disinfectants List. epa.gov

• American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. (2022). Burnout in Nursing. aacn.org

• JAMA Network Open. (2022). Healthcare Worker Mental Health. jamanetwork.com