• Patient Care
• Education
• Research
• Community
• Referring Physicians
• Find a Physician
• Departments & Centers
• About Us

• Libraries
• Alumni
• Giving
• Home

URMC » Quality » Ratings » Pneumonia

Email this page

• Choose Us
• Commitment to Quality
• Quality Measures
  • Heart Attack
  • Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA)
  • Coronary Bypass Surgery (CABG)
  • Heart Failure
  • Pneumonia
    • Overview
    • Smoking cessation advice
    • Pneumonia antibiotic within 4 hours
    • Pneumococcal vaccination
    • Pneumonia blood oxygenation assessment
    • Influenza vaccination
  • Robotic Prostatectomy
  • Stroke
• Glossary of Terms

 

Influenza Vaccination

From January 2006 to September 2006, 92% of eligible patients at Strong Memorial Hospital received influenza vaccination unless otherwise contraindicated. Pneumonia patients who have an up-to-date vaccination status are not eligible for re-vaccination; therefore, this number is not expected to be 100%.

Source: United States Department of Health & Human Services

Influenza (flu) viruses are the most common cause of viral pneumonia. Flu viruses may also weaken the body and pave the way for bacterial pneumonia infections (Porth, C. M. (Ed.). (2005). Pathophysiology:  Concepts of Altered Health States. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins).

Vaccination is needed to prevent viral infections since viruses do not respond to antibiotics. Viruses such as influenza may also create ideal conditions for the development of bacterial pneumonia infections.

Yearly flu vaccination helps to reduce pneumonia death and disability, especially among high-risk groups such as those who are elderly, diabetic, or those with weakened immune systems. Influenza viruses in the U.S. are different each year, so flu vaccination is needed annually. Flu vaccinations are available in the fall and winter months, but the supply is not always abundant, so it may be helpful to plan ahead and schedule a flu vaccination appointment with your physician.