Cook County Health Board Gets Update on Employee Vaccination Rate

Cook County Health Board of Directors Meeting
May 28, 2001

Covid Vaccine Update:
Director Gugenheim was surprised at the Low 63% Employee COVID Vaccination Rate. Director Gugenheim further asked whether the Cook County Health System was working with their “Labor Partners” to increase employee vaccination.   Yes, but vaccination is voluntary and vaccine hesitancy has been an issue, staff replied.  

• Employee vaccination by race/ethnicity as of 4-30-21 reported as: Black/African-American 49.4%; Hispanic/Latino 67.6%; White 76.1%; Asian 81.7%.
• Vaccination by Job Category:  Nursing 63%; Doctors 85%; Administrative/Clerical, Non-clinical Leadership, Pharmacy and Public Health 100%
• Vaccination by Union & Non-Union:  Non-Union 76%; Union 61%

30 minutes of Public Comments addressed to the Board by employees and groups of employees largely centered on ongoing Labor Union negotiations.  Assertions included: lack of leadership by Administration & managers, unwillingness of Administration to negotiate on salaries and work rules, understaffing, and untrained Agency temporary nurses.  Strike threat was voiced by one speaker.

​Board Reports:

• CountyCare managed health plan: 20% increase in members over last 12 months-- total 398,534 exceeds budget and unexpected higher capitation rate awarded by State Medicaid yielded a small net operating profit.
• System wide financials, net loss of $21,802,000 is a result of increased claims cost but is less than budgeted loss of $32,551,000. 
• Compassionate Care initiative introduced in the Hospital System Ambulatory Clinics to address low (56% in hospital rankings) “Likelihood to Recommend” on Hospital System patient surveys. There are 3 Key Drivers impacting the ranking:  1) Courtesy of Registration Staff  2) Sensitivity to patient’s needs       3) Concern for Patient’s privacy
• Cook County Public Health Department’s Dr. Joshi reported on the Opioid epidemic: significant incremental increase in opioid-related deaths in Cook County 1,121 in 2018; 1,227 in 2019; 1,771 in 2020.   Chicago & CC Suburbs all showed increases.  Deaths due to Fentanyl far exceed those from heroin or prescription pain relievers.

Items to watch for in the future:

• Board attendance by new Board Directors, selection of Board Chair, selection of new Chief Financial Officer & new CEO of CountyCare.

Observed by: Susan Kern, MD                                               Meeting Length:  3 hours