Strategies for Preventing Nosocomial Influenza in Acute-Care Hospitals: A Narrative Review

TL;DR

This review outlines strategies to prevent hospital-acquired influenza, emphasizing vaccination, hygiene, and policies to protect patients and staff.

Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive synthesis of evidence-based strategies for preventing nosocomial influenza in hospitals.

Findings

Higher healthcare personnel vaccination coverage correlates with lower patient influenza rates and improved survival.

Hand hygiene, respiratory precautions, and cohorting help interrupt in-facility influenza transmission.

Occupational policies that reduce presenteeism can lower staff-to-patient virus spread.

Abstract

Seasonal influenza remains a major threat to healthcare facilities, where introduction of the virus can cause disproportionate morbidity and mortality among high-risk inpatients. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence and practice-oriented guidance on the prevention of hospital-acquired influenza. We conducted a targeted literature search using PubMed, guideline repositories for English-language publications from 2000 to 2025, prioritizing systematic reviews, clinical trials, and authoritative guidelines. A multifaceted strategy is emphasized: annual vaccination of healthcare personnel and eligible patients; consistent implementation of standard and transmission-based precautions; attention to environmental cleaning and disinfection; and occupational-health policies that limit presenteeism and workplace exposure. Evidence demonstrates that higher healthcare personnel (HCP) vaccination coverage is associated with lower patient influenza rates and improved survival. Reliable hand hygiene, respiratory source control, early initiation of droplet precautions, and cohorting when single rooms are limited all contribute to interrupting in-facility transmission. Ensuring that ill HCP can remain off duty without penalty further reduces the likelihood of staff-to-patient spread. Collectively, these coordinated measures provide a protective framework and underscore the central role of clinicians and infection-prevention teams in sustaining influenza control within acute-care settings.

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