In February 2012, the Colorado Board of Health
(BOH) passed rule 6 CCR 1011-1 Chap 02 regarding influenza vaccination of its
employees in licensed healthcare facilities. This rule applies to all healthcare
facilities licensed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
(CDPHE). There are two requirements of this rule:
1. All licensed
healthcare facilities must keep track of the number of its employees that are
vaccinated against influenza and annually report that number to CDPHE either
through the Health Facilities Division (HFD) Portal or the National Healthcare
Safety Network by March 31st of each year.
2. If certain vaccination
targets are not met, a facility is required to implement a policy based on its
facility type.
- If a facility is classified as a general hospital,
hospital unit, ambulatory surgical center, or long-term care facility, the
facility will need to implement an influenza vaccination policy for its
healthcare workers to ensure that each worker has been vaccinated or has a
medical exemption documented. Workers without proof of vaccination or a medical
exemption must wear a surgical/procedure mask through the entire influenza
season.
- If a facility is classified as an assisted living residence,
community clinic, community mental health center, facility for persons with
developmental disabilities, hospice, dialysis treatment clinic, home care
agency, psychiatric hospital, rehabilitation hospital, convalescent center, or
acute treatment unit, the facility will need to conduct an assessment of its
workforce, residents/patients, and influenza vaccination policies and develop an
influenza vaccination policy regarding the vaccination or masking of employees
based on that assessment.
For general information about the Board of
Health Healthcare Worker Influenza Vaccination Rule requirements, you may call
303-692-2836 or email CDPHE.FluVacReport@state.co.us . An updated toolkit will be
available on the HFD Portal later this summer to answer any questions or assist
your facility with this rule.
This blog publishes information typically sent to users of the Colorado Health Facilities Interactive (COHFI) system for health care entities regulated by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Please note that COHFI is the official medium for business communication between the Department and licensed and/or Medicare/Medicaid certified health care entities. Health care entities should continue to monitor their email accounts routinely.
