Contest readies OMNI homes for flu season
Monday November 12, 2007 -- Deron Hamel
With flu season approaching, OMNI has kicked off its 2007 Immunization Challenge to encourage residents and staff at OMNI’s 16 long-term care homes to get vaccinated.

OMNI’s goal is to get as many staff members and residents as possible at each home vaccinated by Dec. 31. This is the fifth year OMNI has held the Immunization Challenge.

“With the ever impending threat of an influenza pandemic, this is the year to stress the importance of getting your flu immunization shot,” says Candace Chartier.

“We continue to stress the benefits of getting immunized for both our staff and their families, as well as our residents and their families.”

Flu vaccinations reduce the chance of individuals contracting the virus, which, in turn, minimizes the risk of outbreaks and quarantines.

OMNI also creates and distributes fact sheets, as well as lists of preventative measures and flu symptoms. This information is given to staff members and families to increase awareness and prevent illness.

To help reduce the risk, every OMNI long-term care home has screening measures in place for residents, staff and volunteers.

The OMNI home with the most residents and staff members immunized by the end of the year will receive prizes, including a weekend getaway for two and a large gift basket courtesy of Shoppers Drug Mart.

Last year’s winning home was Almonte Country Haven, with 100 per cent of residents and 99 per cent of staff members immunized.

Kelly Davies, director of care at the Ottawa-area long term, says Almonte is on the way to netting first place once again.

“It’s going very well,” she says, noting that residents and staff have all been co-operative.

However, Almonte will have some heavy competition for first place.

Tina Cole, administrator at Kentwood Park, says nearly all residents and staff members at the Picton long-term care home have received flu vaccination. She adds that everyone at her home has their eyes on first place.

The top three homes in the 2006 Immunization Challenge were Almonte, Burnbrae Gardens and Forest Hill.