AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

November 2, 2001

AASA: NH #2001-025

SUBJECT:? FACT SHEETS AND FACILITY DATA ON IMMUNIZATIONS

Dear Nursing Home/Facility Administrator:

Enclosed you will find influenza and pneumococcal vaccine fact sheets published by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Immunization Program.? These fact sheets provide a great deal of information in an easy to read, condensed format.? We hope you will use this information to ensure that your influenza and pneumococcal immunization program is as effective as possible.

You can also access these fact sheets via the Internet at : www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS.

In previous letters to you in January and August 2001, we have stressed the importance of fully implementing a program for influenza and pneumococcal immunization in your facility.

This letter informs you that the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently focused their attention on data for fields F 144, Number of residents who received influenza immunization, and F145, Number of residents known to have received pneumoococcalvaccine, from the ?Resident Census and Conditions of Residents? (HCFA 672) form that the facility completes at the time of survey.? For many facilities in Washington State this data shows a 0% for one or both of these fields.? One cause of this may be inaccurate completion of the data because it is not part of the MDS and you must complete it by hand.? Please be sure the fields F144 and 145 are completed accurately at the time of your next survey so that your facility data will reflect your actual immunization practice.

You also need to be aware that CMS is currently developing an immunization protocol and their plans are to include the use of this protocol in the survey process beginning in the spring of 2002.? The best way to prepare for successfully meeting this new protocol when it is initiated is to take whatever steps are necessary now to improve the percentage of your residents that are immunized against influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia.?

Sincerely,

Patricia K. Lashway, Director

Residential Care Services

Enclosures

cc: Beth Hines, DOH