Changing attitudes towards annual influenza vaccination amongst staff in a Tertiary Care Irish University Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers are encouraged annually to get vaccinated against influenza. This year in view of COVID-19 pandemic, attitudes of HCWs towards vaccination are particularly important. A cross-sectional study was completed to understand how to best encourage and facilitate the vaccination of HCWs based on the previous years' findings. METHODS: An online survey was disseminated to all hospital staff via electronic channels. The clinical audit sphinx software was used for data collection and analysis. RESULTS: The total number of responses was n = 728, almost double the rate from 2018 (N = 393). A total of 78% (N = 551) of participants were vaccinated last year. A total of 94% (N = 677) of participants reported their intention to be vaccinated this year. The main barriers listed were being unable to find time (32%, N = 36), side effects (30%, N = 33) and thinking that it does not work (21%, N = 23). The most popular suggestions for how to increase uptake were more mobile immunisation clinics (72%, N = 517) and more information on the vaccine (50%, N = 360). A total of 82% of participants (N = 590) agreed that healthcare workers should be vaccinated, with 56% (N = 405) agreeing that it should be mandatory. Of the participants who were not vaccinated last year (N = 159), 40% (N = 63) agreed that COVID-19 had changed their opinion on influenza immunisation with a further 11% (N = 18) strongly agreeing. DISCUSSION: In light of the increasing number of survey participants, more staff were interested in flu vaccination this year than ever before. The COVID-19 pandemic has had some influence on staff's likelihood to be vaccinated. Feasibility of immunisation and education posed the largest barriers to HCW vaccination.

Working Backs Project--implementing low back pain guidelines.

BACKGROUND: The St Vincent's Working Backs Project (WBP) represents a strategy for the implementation of the UK Faculty of Occupational Medicine guidelines for the management of low back pain (LBP) in the workplace (Carter J, Birrell L. Occupational Health Guidelines for the Management of Low Back Pain at Work-Principal Recommendations. London: Faculty of Occupational Medicine, 2000). AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of the St Vincent's WBP. METHODS: Questionnaire survey of staff and managers before and after the WBP intervention together with review of Occupational Health Department (OHD) data. The intervention included changes to LBP management pathways and protocols, combined with a guideline-based health promotion campaign. Outcomes included WBP awareness, LBP-related sickness absenteeism, staff back beliefs, intended management of LBP and manager attitudes towards LBP and it management. RESULTS: Following the WBP intervention, 85% (n=46) of managers and 57% (n=124) of staff reported having heard of the WBP. LBP-related sickness absenteeism in the previous year had not decreased significantly (95% confidence interval: -0.03 to 0.06). Among staff, a mean improvement of 1.8 had occurred on the Back Beliefs Questionnaire score. More staff (36%) reported that they would try to stay active (P<0.05) with LBP and would choose to attend the OHD if they required treatment. More managers demonstrated guideline-consistent attitudes. CONCLUSIONS: Following the WBP, staff and manager attitudes and beliefs towards LBP and its management were more consistent with the LBP guidelines although LBP-related sickness absenteeism did not decrease significantly. Future occupational guideline implementation strategy studies are required which should include a control worksite and rely on pre- and post-intervention organizational data.