Effects of Staffing and Regional Location on Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccination Rates in Nursing Home Residents.

Vaccinations reduce the risk of hospitalizations and adverse health outcomes in older adult populations, which has led to initiatives such as the Healthy People 2010 goal to vaccinate 90% of all nursing home residents. The current analysis looked at the percentage of residents who received vaccinations in 15,653 nursing homes in the United States and relationships of vaccination to staffing intensity and regional location. Overall, approximately 75% of facilities reached the optimum 90% vaccination levels for long-term residents, but less than 50% reached this goal for short-term residents. Further analyses revealed a consistently lower median rate of vaccination for metropolitan areas and indicated a weak relationship between staffing levels of RNs and short-term resident vaccination. Factors influencing staffing levels, and the possible connection between vaccination and technology, are discussed, as well as suggestions for future research aimed at better understanding mechanisms involved in suboptimal influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in nursing homes. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 42(2), 38-44.].