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Objective: To decrease upper respiratory tract infection among employees and cost effectiveness study.
Methods: In 2004, Influenza vaccines were given at no cost to all full-time physicians and direct-care staffs as well as front-line staffs in high-risk areas. In 2005, vaccinations continued at the work site with education program using factsheet which included self-monitoring and report form for influenza vaccine side-effect. In 2006, an additional program of hospital wide respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene was implemented. Cost effectiveness analysis was applied for data in 2004-2006 and 2008.
Results: Influenza vaccination program at Bumrungrad International had been started in 2004. The target Bumrungrad International employee in 2004-2006 and 2008 were 72%, 74%, 68% and 77% of total employee while compliance rate were 87%, 92%, 94% and 94% of target group. The rates of employee admitted with upper respiratory tract infection in 2004-2006 and 2008 were constantly decreased as 6.0, 0.4, 0.2 and 0.3/100 employees. However, the rates of employee attended at the clinic with upper respiratory tract infection in 2004-2006 were slightly declined as 1.06, 0.9, 0.9/100 employees. In 2008, though, dramatic drop by 0.5/100 employees was evident. The reduction of total expenses on upper respiratory infection treatment for Bumrungrad International employee was noted as USD 180,615; 44,574; 88,812; and 64,257 per year or USD 65, 16, 30 and 20 per person.
Conclusions: Influenza vaccination was obviously a cost effective tool to decrease upper respiratory infection employee admitted rate and expenses. For out patient department cases, it showed no significant effect. However, the implementation of additional program of hospital wide respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene reduced 1000 employees visits to the clinic.
