Authors (including presenting author) :
Ng Y M(1), Yim M Y(1), Lung D C(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Infection Control Team, (2)Information Technology Department, (3)Human Resources Department, Hong Kong Children’s Hospital
Introduction :
In Hong Kong, the number of vaccine-preventable diseases is on a rising trend. An example is the measles outbreak at the Hong Kong International Airport. HCWs are at risk of exposure to these infectious diseases. In parallel, they may transmit these infections to the patients. It is of tremendous importance in children’s hospital, as the patients are vulnerable. The Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Disease (SCVPD)1 recommends all HCWs to be immune against hepatitis B, varicella, measles and rubella. Yet, many of them are unaware of their immune status, nor they have written evidence of immunity. Thus, a two-tiered strategy, including a hospital-wide database to record the vaccination status of HCWs, as well as an infection control (IC) clinic to follow up their unknown or incomplete vaccination, should be adopted.
Objectives :
(1) To develop a central database recording staff immunization, including immunity to hepatitis B, varicella, measles and rubella. (2) To follow up staff immunization in the IC clinic. (3) To raise the HCWs’ awareness and their sense of responsibility against vaccine-preventable diseases.
Methodology :
Infection Control Team (ICT) had co-operated with the Information Technology Department since October 2018 in setting up the staff immunization central database. Prior to the system setup, an immunization form declaring immunity to hepatitis B, varicella, measles and rubella, had been distributed to staff for filling. ICT was responsible for data entry in the initial stage. The system was rolled out in September 2019, and training sessions for data entry were arranged for departments’ delegates. In October, the Human Resources Department starts to distribute the immunization record form to newly joined staff. The trained delegates enter the data and generate follow-up slip. Consequently, ICT will follow up staff in IC clinic.
Result & Outcome :
(1) Since January 2019, ICT has received 538 (77.9% of all HCWs) immunization record forms with data updated in the database. (2) 247 staff were followed up in the Staff Measles Vaccination Program (SMVP) in IC clinic. (3) Starting from September, ICT begins to follow up staff with unknown or incomplete vaccination to other vaccine-preventable diseases. (4) Staff are more alert of their immunization status during data entry and clinic follow-up.
