100 Percent Compliance for 6 South Associates

In 2009, all associates on this unit received the flu vaccines. They put aside personal preferences so they could better protect our patients.

What was the root of their success? The cohesiveness among associates on the unit and their emphasis on patient safety.

The unit of 6 South was willing to get the vaccine with an “If you get it, I’ll get it” mentality. This sense of collegiality helped protect their patients, themselves and their families.


The associates pictured are:

• Katy Hanschild, PCA;
• Jackie Westrate, RN;
• Vicky Albin, PCA;
• Jill Fletcher, RN; and
• Dionne Mayfield, PCA

Katy Hanschild, PCA, feels that flu complications do not pose as much of a threat to young, healthy individuals as they do to her patients, especially considering that influenza often worsens chronic medical conditions.

“Vaccination prevents readmissions by cutting down on the number of people who come back to the hospital with flu symptoms they obtained during their stay at Saint Mary’s,” said Jackie Westrate. RN. “The bottom line is that vaccination prevents us as associates from getting the flu, and also prevents us from spreading it to our patients.”

Believing strongly in a holistic approach to medical treatment, Jill Fletcher, RN, a three-year associate of 6 South, considered the risks and benefits before taking anything unnatural into her body. “Although I was initially apprehensive about getting vaccinated, I would have been upset with myself if I contracted the flu virus after knowing a vaccination was available,” Fletcher said. “I was also concerned for my kids’ wellbeing and for my patients’ as well.”

As with any vaccine, Vicky Albin, PCA, believes that, “the definite good far outweighs the unlikely bad. My patients, my co-workers and I cannot afford to get sick. And at the very least, the flu vaccination lessens the severity of flu symptoms and complications,” reasoned Albin.

Other than a temporarily sore arm, Dionne Mayfield, PCA, has had no bad experiences with the flu shot in the past. There is no question of whether or not to receive a vaccination because she feels it is her responsibility as a health care worker. “I make it a priority to get vaccinated regularly whenever it becomes available,” said Mayfield.

Plans for this year? 6 South Hopes for 100 Percent Compliance Again!