Objective: The purpose of this study is to describe immunization practices, management culture, and organizational linkages of local public health.
Methods: A convenience sample of ten North Carolina health departments were observed for seven months by the researcher using on-site observation, survey instruments, and focus groups. County immunization coverage rates were obtained using the State’s Clinical Assessment Software Application (CASA) software system. Higher performing immunization programs were defined as having an average county CASA rate > 70%. In addition, organizational culture of health department and management staff and the formation of collaborations were analyzed. Cases were developed from census data, survey data, field notes and transcripts. Data were analyzed using a thematic conceptually clustered matrix design.
Results: Higher performing programs offered immunization services from noon to 1:00 PM, utilized computerized immunization tracking systems, and employed dedicated staff to perform tracking services. Higher performing programs emphasized a human resources perspective such as distributing rewards based on initiative and promoting communication with other health department divisions. A positive working relationship with their County’s Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Division, Child Service Coordination Program (CSC), and with community physicians was also common. Lower performing programs perceived that they do not have a human resources oriented culture and they do not have positive working relationships with WIC or community physicians.
Conclusion: Health department immunization programs should implement a dedicated computerized tracking program, emphasize a human resource oriented culture, and develop linkages with WIC, CSC and community physicians to improve the immunization coverage rates.
Learning Objectives: 1) Describe immunization practices that are more likely to be found with successful local health department immunization programs. 2) Articulate, compare and contrast the management culture of more successful and least successful local health department immunization programs. 3) Construct organizational linkage maps of ten local health department immunization programs and identify linkages that are more likely to be associated with successful immunization programs
Keywords: Child Health, Community Health Centers
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Local health departments, immunization programs
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.