Organizational Change | Flu & Pneumonia Evaluation Measures

Organizational change measures for adult immunization^1-4

Improvement in adult immunization requires ongoing support from employers. New programs can be added over time and evaluated periodically for their effectiveness. For best results, recognition of the benefits of immunization programs should become an inherent part of organizational change and corporate culture.

Measuring organization change is an assessment of company-initiated programs and policies that affect most employees regardless of their health status. These efforts need to be integrated for greatest effectiveness and will require time for full implementation. Regular measures of employee attitudes and program development are key in determining whether new programs are effective or require further adaptation to prevent continuing investment in ineffective efforts.

Baseline

• Determine workplace barriers to employees’ ability to obtain immunizations
• Assess current workplace adult immunization programs 
  • List current adult immunization options for employees through worksite and identify number of employees (i.e., participation) using each option. Examples: 
    • Number of immunization programs (e.g., education seminars, on-site influenza immunization clinics) and participation in these programs
    • Availability of educational materials on adult immunization
    • Number of communications/media campaigns regarding adult immunization
    • Number of immunization related policies
    • Number of environmental strategies to reduce influenza incidence such as handwashing stations
    • Number of partnerships with community resources for adult immunization programs such as pharmacies or local health departments
  • Determine costs of current company adult immunization programs such as: 
    • Staffing, equipment, and space
    • Employee time to participate in worksite adult immunization programs such as influenza during work hours (e.g., education or on-site immunization clinic)
  • Conduct survey of employee satisfaction with current workplace supported adult immunization programs

Process

• Reassess barriers to employee engagement in adult immunization programs
• Document steps taken and progress toward implementing each intervention selected
  • List numeric goals in each form of intervention within a designated time period (e.g., desired increases in annual employee immunization rates or decreases in seasonal influenza rates)
    • Employee reach (e.g., number of educational pamphlets distributed)
    • Employee participation (e.g., number of employees immunized)
  • Describe timeline for implementation of each planned intervention (e.g., length of time and timing of tasks to develop, initiate, and conduct a mass campaign)
  • Create a baseline budget for new interventions including classes, or organizing an on-site clinic, instructors, classroom space, materials, etc
  • Identify opportunities for new partnerships with community groups who provide adult immunization programs (e.g., pharmacies, local health department, or local hospital)
• Reassess employee satisfaction regarding workplace supported adult immunization programs

Outcome

• Measure reductions in the number and type of employee barriers to receiving immunizations
• Assess changes in workplace adult immunization programs including progress in achieving goals and in implementation of each intervention (e.g., length of time and timing of tasks to develop, initiate, and conduct a mass campaign)
  • Measure changes in the number of adult immunization options for employees through the worksite and changes in employee participation using each option before and after the program or campaign. Examples:
    • Number of new programs developed and offered to employees and participation in those programs
    • Number of new educational materials developed and made available to employees
    • Number of new workplace communications/media campaigns including posters, brochures, and signs encouraging frequent handwashing
    • Number of new workplace policies regarding adult immunization programs developed and implemented compared to baseline
    • Number of new environmental strategies (e.g., handwashing stations) developed and implemented compared to baseline
    • Number of new partnerships with community groups who provide adult immunization programs (e.g., pharmacies, local health departments or local hospitals)
  • Assess changes in program costs from baseline
    • Increases in staffing or equipment needs due to new program offerings
    • Changes in employee participation time during work hours (e.g., education or on-site immunization clinic)
  • Assess changes in survey responses for employee satisfaction following implementation of workplace supported adult immunization programs and compare with baseline

Depending on goal success, evaluate the need to adjust workplace programs.