Trying to figure out how to protect your staff and your patients from the flu this year, without raising your costs? Accrediting body The Joint Commission has some ideas. Tip #1: Provide the vaccine directly to em-ployees and deduct the cost from their paychecks. Tip #2: Identify places in the community where staff can receive their vaccination and allow them the flexibility in hours to do so. Tip #3: Reserve time at a pharmacy or clinic for your staff to receive their shots. The provider can then bill the patients or their insurer directly. A new Joint Commission standard that took effect July 1 requires accredited HHAs to offer flu vaccinations to licensed independent practitioners and staff, notes the organization formerly known as JCAHO in its newsletter.