142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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Influenza Campaign for Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders Veterans

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Tuesday, November 18, 2014 : 5:30 PM - 5:50 PM

Mary Louise Tatum, MPH, BSN, RN , College of Public Health, Kent State University, Kent, OH
The population with Spinal Cord Injury has a higher rate of morbidity and mortality resulting from influenza complications compared to the general population; yet, many continue to decline flu vaccination. At the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio this performance improvement project was implemented with spinal cord injuries and disorders veterans from the outpatient clinic. An education program was developed which addressed the most commonly identified barriers. As a result, there was an increase acceptance of flu vaccination after participation in the program.
Introduction
Receiving the influenza vaccination is considered best practice, has been proven to be safe, and effective. Furthermore, Spinal Cord Injury is acknowledged as a high risk condition and accordingly, The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends this population receives the annual influenza vaccination.1 Moreover, persons with spinal cord injuries have an increased risk for breathing impairment, decreased ability to cough, and difficulty clearing secretions leading to an increased risk of morbidity and mortality from influenza.2
This performance improvement project targeted the Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders (SCI &D) veterans from the outpatient clinic at the Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center during the 2012-2013 influenza season.

Learning Areas:

Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs

Learning Objectives:
Discuss health behaviors and motivating health behavior change utilizing the Health Belief Model. Identify how to present information to specific populations.

Keyword(s): Veterans' Health, Patient-Centered Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: As a register nurse I have participated in multiple programs promoting health education utilizing best practices. As a graduate public health student I will continue to provide health education, with a focus towards vulnerable populations.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.