[MMA News Now, Sept. 13, 2012] The Minnesota Department of Health has launched the 2012 FluSafe program, which recognizes Minnesota health care facilities for attaining high influenza vaccination rates among its employees.

Geared toward hospitals and nursing homes, FluSafe’s goal is to get as many health care worker vaccinated for influenza as possible. Unvaccinated health care workers can pass highly contagious influenza to their patients, many of whom are at high risk for complications of the flu.

FluSafe, which is endorsed by the Minnesota Alliance for Patient Safety, will use the statewide immunization registry - the Minnesota Immunization Information Connection (MIIC) - to measure flu vaccination rates of health care employees. Using immunization registries is integral to the Minnesota e-Health initiative and “meaningful use” objectives for hospitals. FluSafe is an easy way for nursing homes to start utilizing MIIC in their facilities.

For more information, go online or email the Department of Health.