Stratford Center takes 'Making a Difference' honors in December
Stratford Center staff available for a photo are (from left): Karen Shulman, M.D. (sitting in chair); Tracy LaPointe, R.N.; Amber Kafka, M.A.; Sue Literski, M.A.
In December, Marshfield Clinic Stratford Center staff vaccinated 4.23 percent of their patients aged 50 and older against seasonal influenza. This is at a rate higher than any other Clinic Center. For the second time this influenza vaccination season, Stratford staff is "Making a Difference" and are the winners for December.
The Making a Difference traveling trophy is on display at their Center through the end of January.
"This is not only reflective of the great staff effort but also of the community of Stratford," said Kori Krueger, M.D., Stratford Center Med Peds. "We are a small town and we take care of each other. We understand the importance of maintaining a healthy community by informing patients of the significance of being vaccinated, and being responsive to their needs."
Dr. Krueger praised the Stratford staff for "addressing the needs of the patient at every opportunity, including lab and check-in. If patients have had their vaccinations elsewhere, they also make sure these are back-loaded into the EMR. It is truly a team effort to the benefit of our patients."
"Awareness is key to what we do," noted Susan Literski, C.M.A. "Making patients aware that the vaccine is available and that it is recommended is usually enough to encourage almost anyone."
Stratford Center provides flu shots whenever the patients request them. "Our staff offers patients a flu shot if they are due for it - no matter what they are coming in for," said Dawn Brock, Stratford Center manager.
"At this point in time, backloading and vaccinating are still a priority to best serve our patients and to prevent influenza. IQIPS encourages all Centers to continue their efforts in the months ahead," said Eva Scheppa, R.N., Institute for Quality, Innovation and Patient Safety.
"As of January 21, we are 5,270 patients away from meeting the systemwide goal of vaccinating 85,000 patients who are 18 years of age or older," Scheppa added.
