North County Health Services Receives
Provider of the Year Award
for Protecting Patients and Staff

North County Health Services (NCHS) is a private not-for-profit community health organization that serves 60,000 patients at 11 centers in north San Diego County. In an effort to prevent the spread of pertussis (whooping cough) between staff and patients, NCHS instituted a mandatory staff vaccination program for Tdap vaccine. NCHS saw this policy as a win-win program for everyone. Staff is protected from patients who are contagious and patients won’t be exposed to any staff members who become infected with pertussis.  NCHS also wins by reducing sick time due to employees out sick with pertussis. 

The results of their efforts were excellent; 97% of staff (445 of 460 clinical staff) was immunized with Tdap. Once immunized, staff received a ribbon to be displayed on their badge indicating they had received the vaccine. In addition to the Tdap vaccine, staff is also required to receive the influenza immunizations. Due to their commitment to protect the health of their patient and staff, the San Diego Immunization Coalition (SDIC) has chosen NCHS as the Provider of the Year.

The SDIC congratulates NCHS for their proactive stance on protecting both patients and staff from pertussis and influenza.

Terri Richards, Nursing Services Director at NCHS accepts "Provider of the Year Award" from Rachael Hamilton (left) and Mary Cruz (right)