Louisville, Ky. – Sept. 26, 2019 – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults 65 years and older, and individuals living in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities are among the highest risk for getting the flu. Signature HealthCARE is taking action and taking preventive measures to decrease this risk among their homes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults 65 years and older, and individuals living in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities are among the highest risk for getting the flu. Signature HealthCARE is taking action and taking preventive measures to decrease this risk among their homes.

With flu season right around the corner, Signature HealthCARE has elected to require all employees to receive the flu vaccination. Anyone entering the facility, whether a volunteer, visitor, external vendor, etc., must show proof of vaccination, or otherwise wear a mask when in resident and patient care areas.

As part of this initiative, the skilled-nursing operator will assure employees, as well as residents, receive the flu shot free of cost. Creating a healthy and safe environment for residents is Signature HealthCARE’s number one priority. By mandating this policy, residents are protected from the flu and offered the highest level of care.

“At Signature we truly believe in revolutionizing health care delivery, and in that context, providing a safe living environment for our residents and patients is our highest priority,” Dr. Arif Nazir, Chief Medical Officer at Signature HealthCARE, said. “Though there are health issues and comorbidities among our residents that are hard to impact, we surely can do more about infection-related issues. For example, flu outbreaks can be minimized by assuring aggressive utilization of the flu vaccine both by our residents and staff.”

Many acute-care hospitals have already mandated this policy, but Signature HealthCARE is among those few in long-term care that are leading the way in being proactive this flu season.

“Flu is dangerous for all.  For example, as per the CDC, there have been more than 50,000 flu-related deaths between Oct. 2018 through May 2019, with a large proportion of these among older population,” Signature HealthCARE Chief Nursing Officer, Annette Wenzler, said. “We want to thank Genesis HealthCare for their guidance in helping us accomplish this landmark. By acting together, we in the post-acute and long-term care setting, are serving our residents, staff, and families better.”

With flu season right around the corner, Signature HealthCARE has elected to require all employees receive the influenza vaccination. Anyone entering the facility, whether a volunteer, visitor, external vendor, etc., must show proof of the vaccine, or otherwise be required to wear a mask.

As part of this initiative, the skilled-nursing operator will assure employees, as well as residents, receive the flu shot free of cost. Creating a healthy and safe environment for residents is Signature HealthCARE’s number one priority. By mandating this policy, elders are protected from the flu and offered the highest level of patient care.

“At Signature we truly believe in revolutionizing health care delivery, and in that context, providing a safe living environment for our residents and patients is our highest priority,” Dr. Arif Nazir, Chief Medical Officer at Signature HealthCARE, said. “Though there are issues and comorbidities that are hard to impact, we surely can do more about infection-related issues. For example, influenza outbreaks can be minimized by assuring aggressive utilization of the flu vaccine.”

Many post-acute hospitals have already mandated this policy, but Signature HealthCARE is among those in long-term care leading the way in being proactive this flu season.

“Flu is dangerous for all. The Center for Disease Control has estimates from Oct. 1, 2018, through May 4, 2019, there have been 37.4 million to 42.9 million flu illnesses, 531,000 to 647,000 flu hospitalizations, and 36,400 to 61,200 flu deaths,” Signature HealthCARE Chief Nursing Officer, Annette Wenzler, said. “Signature HealthCARE, along with Genesis HealthCare, are taking action this flu season as it is our responsibility to protect our customers/residents, our staff, and their families.”