Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/908020
41 QUALITY & ACCREDITATION Brigham and Women's Mandatory Flu Shot Policy Prompts Nursing Suit: 7 Things to Know By Kelly Gooch A union representing nurses at Boston- based Brigham and Women's Hospital is standing up against the facility's new policy mandating flu vaccines for employees, reports e Boston Globe. Here are seven things to know. 1. Brigham's new policy mandates employees receive annual flu vaccines. 2. Employees may opt out of the new policy for health or religious reasons, although those who do opt out must put on face masks around patients, according to the report. 3. e Massachusetts Nurses Association, which represents thousands of Brigham nurses, is suing the hospital over the new policy. e union claims nurses who opt out of the new policy for reasons unrelated to health or religion are unfairly and unlawfully penalized, according to the report. e union also claims nurses should be the decision- makers when it comes to flu vaccines. 4. Overall, the MNA hopes to block the new policy before its Oct. 1 effective date. 5. Hospital officials are backing the new policy. "e hospital is moving forward with implementing this policy because we believe that mandating the vaccine will create the safest-possible environment for our patients, visitors and staff," Brigham spokesperson Lori Schroth told e Boston Globe via email. "Influenza can carry significant health risks, especially for someone who has a compro- mised immune system." 6. Other healthcare organizations are also supportive of healthcare workers getting vaccinated. e Massachusetts Department of Public Health "encourages" flu vaccines for hospital employees without a medical reason to forgo the vaccine, according to the report. Additionally, the CDC recommends "every- one 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every season." 7. Last year, 91 percent of Brigham and Women's staff received a flu vaccine, and the hospital hopes to have an improved number this year, reports The Boston Globe. Brigham told the hospital the deadline for hospital employees to receive their flu vac- cine is Dec. 1. n Assisting physician-owners in hundreds of transactions for over 30 years | www.ASCs-Inc.com Majority and Minority Interest Sales | Growth Strategies | Real Estate Sales | ASC and Practice Expertise "Most physicians will sell their ASC once, which puts them at a big disadvantage when selling to buyers who have done many transactions and have teams of experienced negotiators whose job is to get the best deal for the buyer. ASCs Inc.'s experience in advising the sellers on hundreds of transactions ensures that the best interests of our clients are represented throughout this complex process and that our clients receive maximum value for their ASC assets." Looking for a strategic partner or for a growth strategy? Have you been approached about selling your center? Are you thinking about selling your ASC real estate? In any of these scenarios the best thing you can do is to call ASCs Inc. first! Contact us today! 760-751-0250 | info@ASCs-Inc.com — Jon Vick, President Considering Selling an Interest in Your ASC?