Educating HCWs, modifying electronic record processes improved influenza vaccination rates

SAN DIEGO — Educating health care workers on the importance of annual influenza immunization for children with asthma and modifying electronic medical record processes improved influenza vaccination rates, according to data presented at the 2014 AAP National Conference and Exhibition.

Dana Foradori, MD, of Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, and colleagues assessed how a quality improvement bundle impacted documented influenza immunization rates among children with asthma for the 2013 to 2014 influenza season. The quality improvement bundle included educating residents, faculty and nurses on the importance of annual influenza immunization for children with asthma, modification of electronic medical record processes and incorporating a review of influenza immunization status into daily workflow.

Prior to intervention, 70 patients were identified and the median biweekly influenza immunization rate was 19%.

Following intervention, 117 eligible patients with asthma were identified and influenza immunization rate significantly increased to 39% (P=0.001).

“A bundle of interventions incorporating education of stakeholders, modification of the electronic medical records and provider feedback sustainably improved influenza vaccination rates. future directions include enhancing family and provider education, further improving documentation of immunization status and incorporating “Best Practice Alerts” into the electronic medical records to remind providers to order the vaccine for eligible patients,” the researchers concluded.

For more information:

Foradori D. Abstract #25880. Presented at: 2014 AAP National Conference and Exhibition; Oct. 11-14; San Diego.

Disclosure: Infectious Diseases in Children was unable to confirm financial disclosures.