Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
immunization requirements, Utah health care workers, outpatient setting
College
Nursing
Abstract
The health care environment is ideal for the spread of immunization-preventable and communicable diseases (Goldstein, Kincade, Gamble, & Bearman, 2004). Communicable diseases, such as pertussis, are highly contagious and easily transmitted by health care workers (HCWs) to at-risk patients (CDC, 1997; Sandora, Gidengil, & Lee, 2008). Pediatric patients, especially those under 5 years of age, are especially vulnerable to immunization-preventable diseases since they have not yet completed all immunizations in a given series. Since 2006, the CDC has recommended the cocoon immunization strategy, a program that aims to protect newborns from pertussis by immunizing caregivers of the infant (TCH, 2010). In addition to caregivers, HCWs are also at risk for infecting infants with the disease (Wicker & Rose, 2010). While the Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) immunization is recommended for HCWs, the vast majority of HCWs nationwide fail to comply with this guideline (Calderon et al., 2008).
Recommended Citation
Wiley, Nathan and Luthy, Dr. Beth
(2013)
"Developing an Instrument to Assess Immunization Requirements Among Utah Health Care Workers in the Outpatient Setting,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013:
Iss.
1, Article 1693.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/1693