The Maryland Health Care Commission collects healthcare worker (HCW) flu vaccination rates, and information on mandatory vaccination policies and infection prevention practices from nursing homes, assisted living facilities with ten or more beds, home health agencies and hospice facilities. The Maryland Healthcare Worker Influenza Vaccination Survey reporting period runs from October 1 through March 31 of each year. All long term care facilities are required to complete the online survey beginning each April. Data is publicly reported on the Maryland Quality Reporting website and shared with the Maryland Department of Health.
Pursuant to MD HEALTH GENERAL § 18-404(b)(2), the Maryland Health Care Commission is advising that all healthcare workers should be informed of the health benefits of receiving an influenza vaccine, and to the extent possible, should be vaccinated against influenza by December 1 of each year, unless excused by MD HEALTH GENERAL § 18-404(e).
Important Change to Reporting for Nursing Homes
Beginning with the 2023-24 flu season, nursing home facilities will now report their HCW flu vaccination data directly to CMS through the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) portal. The MHCC will access the HCW flu vaccine information directly from NHSN. The Commission still requires all nursing facilities to report this information each year. View the documents on the bullet points beow for additional information.
Additional Resources:
NHSN Presentation: HPS Component Healthcare Personnel Vaccination Module - LTC facilities
CMS Final Rule: Influenza Vaccination Coverage among Healthcare Personnel (HCP) (NQF #0431)
Instructions for Completion of Healthcare Personnel Influenza Vaccination Summary Form (CDC 57.214)
Other Facility Types:
To better align with the NHSN survey questions, the MHCC flu vaccination survey questions are being restructured for all facility types. Click here to see a summary of changes.
For questions or concerns about the HCW Flu Surveys, please contact:
Assisted Living julie.beard@maryland.gov
Home Health stacy.howes@maryland.gov
Hospice stacy.howes@maryland.gov
Nursing Homes stacy.howes@maryland.gov or julie.beard@maryland.gov