Theses and Dissertations at Montana State University (MSU)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://scholarworks.montana.edu/handle/1/733
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Item Mandatory influenza vaccination of staff in long term care and assisted living facilities(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Nursing, 2020) Kearns, Heidi King; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Laura LarssonInfluenza vaccination rates of healthcare personnel in long-term care facilities continue to lag behind rates in other healthcare facilities. Long-term care facility residents are at particularly high risk of influenza-related complications and death, and the low vaccination rates of workers in this setting puts residents at even greater risk. Mandatory influenza vaccination policies have been shown to be the most effective means of increasing healthcare personnel influenza vaccination rates. Despite this, long-term care facility staff are the least likely to report working in an environment that requires them to receive influenza vaccination on an annual basis. The purpose of this project was to explore the current policies in place at long-term care and assisted living facilities within Flathead County, Montana, with the hope of continuing to bring awareness to effective means of increasing influenza vaccination rates. This project's secondary goals were to continue cultivating a relationship between the local health department and the facilities and work toward creating sustainability in the annual collection of this data. The results of the surveys conducted showed that facilities with the strongest policy components achieved the highest vaccination rates. Continued support is necessary to assist facilities in strengthening their policies in order to achieve the desired healthcare personnel influenza vaccination rates.Item Evaluating communication methods and their impact on vaccination rates in early childhood(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Nursing, 2020) Antos, Kelly Suzanne; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Angela JukkalaYearly vaccination against seasonal influenza is the most effective prevention against an illness with especially dangerous implications for young children. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends two doses of influenza vaccine in the first eligible flu season for young children under the age of two. Communication of reminders for the second dose can be an integral aspect of improving rates at which young children receive the recommended two doses of influenza vaccine. Not all methods of communication are as effective, and the understanding and evaluation of each respective method provides the healthcare professional with information about how to best reach their families/caregivers with important information. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate these methods as they pertain to not only influenza vaccination rates, but also other routinely recommended early childhood vaccines. While technological advances have brought about many new and innovative ways to communicate with families, the literature suggests that reminder telephone calls remain the most effective method to communicate regarding vaccines which are due. New research is also emerging on this topic and will likely further guide the way in which healthcare providers communicate with their patients and families/caregivers. Sustainable improvement in uptake of vaccine rates are specific to the type of vaccine. Trends specific to the seasonal influenza vaccine will also be evaluated through the course of this paper to identify and evaluate additional interventions which may be necessary to achieve sustained improvement to protect the youngest members of our population.Item Development of a mimotope-based synthetic peptide vaccine against HIV using plant viruses(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2003) Intamaso, Uraiwan