K L Nichol1. 1. Section of General Internal Medicine, VA Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN 55417.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To assess the long-term effectiveness of an influenza vaccination program. SETTING:725-bed university-affiliated VA teaching hospital providing care to over 35,000 outpatients. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: 500 randomly selected outpatients were surveyed following each immunization season using a validated, self-administered, postcard questionnaire. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The institution-wide program, designed to function automatically and to be independent of physician initiative, emphasizes organizational and patient-oriented educational strategies: 1) a hospital policy allowing nurses to vaccinate without a physician's order; 2) a walk-in flu shot clinic; 3) reminders on clinic progress notes; and 4) an educational mailing to all outpatients. The program was initiated in 1987 and has been maintained for each subsequent immunization season. RESULTS: The response rate was over 75% for each of the four years in which there were two mailings. The response rate for 1988-1989, in which there were three mailings, was over 85%. Approximately 70% of the respondents were at high risk for influenza and its complications. Vaccination rates for these high-risk outpatients have been sustained at over 58% for each immunization season. The program is well received by the hospital staff and now functions on autopilot each year. CONCLUSION: This highly successful institution-wide influenza vaccination program can be sustained long-term. Elements of this program may help others take advantage of opportunities for influenza prevention.
RCT Entities:
PURPOSE: To assess the long-term effectiveness of an influenza vaccination program. SETTING: 725-bed university-affiliated VA teaching hospital providing care to over 35,000 outpatients. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: 500 randomly selected outpatients were surveyed following each immunization season using a validated, self-administered, postcard questionnaire. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The institution-wide program, designed to function automatically and to be independent of physician initiative, emphasizes organizational and patient-oriented educational strategies: 1) a hospital policy allowing nurses to vaccinate without a physician's order; 2) a walk-in flu shot clinic; 3) reminders on clinic progress notes; and 4) an educational mailing to all outpatients. The program was initiated in 1987 and has been maintained for each subsequent immunization season. RESULTS: The response rate was over 75% for each of the four years in which there were two mailings. The response rate for 1988-1989, in which there were three mailings, was over 85%. Approximately 70% of the respondents were at high risk for influenza and its complications. Vaccination rates for these high-risk outpatients have been sustained at over 58% for each immunization season. The program is well received by the hospital staff and now functions on autopilot each year. CONCLUSION: This highly successful institution-wide influenza vaccination program can be sustained long-term. Elements of this program may help others take advantage of opportunities for influenza prevention.
Authors: C J McDonald; S L Hui; D M Smith; W M Tierney; S J Cohen; M Weinberger; G P McCabe Journal: Ann Intern Med Date: 1984-01 Impact factor: 25.391
Authors: Jason S Reich; Hannah L Miller; Sharmeel K Wasan; Ansu Noronha; Eileen Ardagna; Kathleen Sullivan; Brian Jacobson; Francis A Farraye Journal: Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y) Date: 2015-06