The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #61609

Andrea S. Doughty, PhD, Research Support Services, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, 1601 Parkview Avenue, Rockford, IL 61107 and Catherine S. Vos, MS/MPH, RN, Consulting, Public Health Solutions, 1512 Locust Street, Sterling, IL 61081, 815-626-6737, csvos@essex1.com.

A successful collaboration between managed health care systems, three county health departments, the University of Illinois College of Medicine, and the Rockford Health Council, a non-profit coalition of community members, has resulted in an ongoing system of in-office audits and education for private physicians and their staff administering childhood vaccines. Audits have been successfully completed in 1997, 2001 and 2002. During 2001 and 2002, only one physician of the 277 providers approached declined to participate in a three county area declined to participate. Public providers and health care networks have begun to request that they be included in future audits to continue the assessments and the accompanying one-on-one educational in-service.

Key to success is gaining the support of managed care systems by providing a valued quality assurance activity and respecting individual provider confidentiality. In return, the systems provide access to their providers and patient lists meeting the audit criteria. For the physicians, the audits provide immediate coverage feedback, an explanation of charting or office management problems. and a comprehensive updated reference binder concerning vaccines. The state and local health departments receive mandated information concerning their Vaccines for Children Program.

But does it work? The providers with the lowest immunization rates in 2001 were revisited one year later in 2002. For these 27 providers, the 4: 3: 1: 3: 3 schedule compliance at age 24 months increased 10%. Education and follow-up work. This effort has now expanded into audits and improved documentation procedures for private and public child care facilities.

Learning Objectives:

• List three benefits of collaboration with the audit process from the perspective of the private health provider.
• Develop a plan of action to increase childhood immunizations using an inclusive, comprehensive, and portable approach.

Keywords: Immunizations, System Involvement

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.