Jessica L Johnson1, Treavor T Riley2. 1. Clinical Assistant Professor of Pharmacy, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA jjohns46@xula.edu. 2. Clinical Pharmacy Manager, Central Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released guidelines in December, 2006, recommending revaccination against Bordetella pertussis with Tdap for all post-partum women and healthcare workers. The CDC recommendations specifically state "the postpartum Tdap should be administered before discharge from the hospital or birthing center" and "hospitals and ambulatory-care facilities should provide Tdap for healthcare personnel." The purpose of this survey was to determine the frequency and characteristics of hospital-sponsored pertussis revaccination programs in the southern United States. METHODS: A twenty-six question electronic survey was sent to a representative of either the infection control or pharmacy department of hospitals in the following south central states: Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. The survey was designed to collect information regarding the institution's demographic factors and Tdap vaccination policies. RESULTS: Thirty-seven of 120 surveys (30.8%) were returned. Thirty respondents (81.1%) reported awareness of the 2006 CDC recommendations. Of the 29 institutions offering labor and delivery services, 14 (48.3%) confirmed having a post-partum vaccination policy, 12 (41.4%) reported having no post-partum vaccination policy, and 3 (10.3%) were unaware of whether a policy was currently in place. Of the 37 responding institutions, 34 (91.9%) offer employee vaccinations, although only 31 of those 34 programs (91.1%) offer Tdap to employees. CONCLUSION: According to survey responses, many institutions have not yet implemented Tdap vaccination programs for post-partum patients or healthcare workers according to CDC recommendations. There was no correlation between institution demographics and the presence or characteristics of Tdap revaccination programs.
OBJECTIVE: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released guidelines in December, 2006, recommending revaccination against Bordetella pertussis with Tdap for all post-partum women and healthcare workers. The CDC recommendations specifically state "the postpartum Tdap should be administered before discharge from the hospital or birthing center" and "hospitals and ambulatory-care facilities should provide Tdap for healthcare personnel." The purpose of this survey was to determine the frequency and characteristics of hospital-sponsored pertussis revaccination programs in the southern United States. METHODS: A twenty-six question electronic survey was sent to a representative of either the infection control or pharmacy department of hospitals in the following south central states: Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. The survey was designed to collect information regarding the institution's demographic factors and Tdap vaccination policies. RESULTS: Thirty-seven of 120 surveys (30.8%) were returned. Thirty respondents (81.1%) reported awareness of the 2006 CDC recommendations. Of the 29 institutions offering labor and delivery services, 14 (48.3%) confirmed having a post-partum vaccination policy, 12 (41.4%) reported having no post-partum vaccination policy, and 3 (10.3%) were unaware of whether a policy was currently in place. Of the 37 responding institutions, 34 (91.9%) offer employee vaccinations, although only 31 of those 34 programs (91.1%) offer Tdap to employees. CONCLUSION: According to survey responses, many institutions have not yet implemented Tdap vaccination programs for post-partum patients or healthcare workers according to CDC recommendations. There was no correlation between institution demographics and the presence or characteristics of Tdap revaccination programs.
Authors: Alissa C O'Halloran; Peng-Jun Lu; Sarah A Meyer; Walter W Williams; Pamela K Schumacher; Aaron L Sussell; Jan E Birdsey; Winifred L Boal; Marie Haring Sweeney; Sara E Luckhaupt; Carla L Black; Tammy A Santibanez Journal: Am J Prev Med Date: 2017-11-21 Impact factor: 5.043