Programs and Tools:
AFIX Assessment: Record Selection
The actual number of children to be included in the sample will depend upon the assessment method that is chosen. Below are several options for how to select charts for the assessment once a sample size has been determined.
Immunization Information Systems (IIS)
If all children in the target age group are part of a fully operational immunization registry, select all age-eligible patients associated with the practice.
Random Sample
If a provider is able to produce a complete listing of all age-eligible children in the practice, use the random number generator function in CoCASA or systematic random sample methodology to select a random sample of patients.
Consecutive Sample
The consecutive sample includes every age-eligible child seen in the practice for any reason during a specified time period. The time period could have occurred in the past (i.e. the last 30 days) or could occur prospectively (i.e. the next 4 weeks). If the time period occurred in the past, ask the provider to produce a list of all age-eligible children seen in the practice during the specified period of time. If a list is unavailable, refer to the appointment book. If the time period occurs prospectively, and if possible, ask the provider to abstract immunization information for age-eligible patients at the time of the visit or ask the provider to flag age-eligible records for review at a later date.
Shelf Method
This method may be used if the provider is unable to produce a list of all age-eligible patients. Divide the desired sample size by the number of shelves containing charts; this is the number of charts to be selected per shelf. For each shelf, randomly select a starting point on the shelf and sequentially review each chart until the appropriate number of charts is found.
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Content last reviewed on April 24, 2007
Content Source: National Center for Immunizations and Respiratory Diseases