Released on November 13, 2013
Position Statement Recommends Voluntary Immunization or Masking
Saskatchewan health care providers are being strongly encouraged to get an influenza immunization or choose to wear a mask while delivering care and services to patients during flu season.
Provincial health system partners have issued a position statement on the issue, signed by Health Minister Dustin Duncan, CEOs from health regions and the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, the Saskatchewan Medical Association (SMA) and the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association (SRNA). The statement underscores the importance of health care providers taking action to protect patients and themselves from the potentially significant effects of influenza.
“In the interests of patient safety, we strongly encourage all physicians, nurses and other workers in our health care system to receive an annual influenza immunization, or that they wear a mask while working in patient care areas during flu season,” Prairie North Health Region CEO David Fan said on behalf of all CEOs.
“Patient safety is our first priority, and this is one simple way that we can continue to put our patients first,” Duncan said. “We need to make every effort to prevent the spread of influenza for the sake of patients and staff in our health facilities.”
Currently, about 50 per cent of health care staff and physicians in Saskatchewan voluntarily get an annual flu shot.
“Immunization rates of physicians and all health care providers must improve,” SMA President Dr. Clare Kozroski said. “For patient safety reasons, we recommend that providers get a flu shot or wear a mask while delivering care to patients.”
“Registered Nurses recognize the importance of being proactive in protecting patients’ health,” SRNA Executive Director Karen Eisler said. “We know we can do better, and we support actions that will improve staff health and patient outcomes.”
Other provinces, such as British Columbia, have implemented mandatory “immunize or mask” policies. Saskatchewan will not take similar action this year, but is not ruling it out in the future.
“Emerging evidence shows that an immunization or masking approach significantly improves patient safety and reduces staff sick time,” Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab said. “High performing health systems have achieved up to 95 per cent compliance among health care workers and noticeably reduced flu-related illness among patients and staff.”
Saskatchewan’s position statement is posted at www.health.gov.sk.ca/flu-position-statement.
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For more information, contact:
Tyler McMurchy
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: tmcmurchy@health.gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-537-3594