Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #113026

Marlene M. Lugg, DrPH, Panorama CIty Medical Center, Southern California Kaiser Permanente, 13652 Cantara Street, South 1 Bldg, Panorama City, CA 91306, (818) 375-3078, marlene.m.lugg@kp.org

BACKGROUND: Southern California Kaiser Permanente serves 3 million members in 11 medical centers and 60 medical office buildings throughout Southern California. A centralized immunization tracking system (KITS) is accessible from all departments, and currently contains over 25 million immunization entries. A Clinical Management Summary Sheet (CMSS), showing pharmaceuticals, laboratory tests completed during the past year was available to the nursing staff and physicians for each person admitted to hospital.

OBJECTIVES: To ascertain and improve pneumococcal immunization rates in persons over 65 and other high-risk groups

METHODS: In 2003, pneumococcal immunization history was added to the CMSS. If the CMSS printout shows "Patient in High Risk Category for pneumonia; no Record for Pneumovax in KITS", a pre-printed physician order form be inserted into the chart. Nursing staff follows-up that the physician completes the pneumovax portion of the form and if pneumococcal immunization is ordered, it is given before patient is discharged.

During 2004, CMSS's were printed out for each inpatient. Printouts were divided into two major groups: those that showed "Patient in High Risk Category for pneumonia. No Record for Pneumovax in KITS", and those without such a designation.

Almost 96% of in-patients were in compliance with pneumococcal vaccine recommendations upon admission. Only 4% were not, and were followed up during the hospitalization.

CONCLUSIONS: Adding inpatient immunization follow-up to that of ambulatory care reminder and recall increased the pneumococcal immunization rates to over 92% for geriatric and other high-risk groups.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to discuss and use methods to increase adult immunization rates in hospitals.

Keywords: Adult Health, Immunizations

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.