Adult
Immunization: Strategies That Work
Course Material from the Interactive Satellite Videoconference
Broadcast on April 24, 1997
The following is the course material used with the videoconference. This
material covers adult immunization strategies that have been successfully implemented in
five health-care settings. The strategies used in each setting are discussed during the
videoconference and issues such as implementation, resources, barriers, and results are
addressed.
To order a single copy of the video, Adult Immunizations: Strategies that Work,
send your request to Information/Distribution Center, National Immunization Program,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, NE, Mail Stop E-34, Atlanta
Georgia 30333. Order code 00-6622.
The health-care settings discussed include:
Private Practice
Pulsifer Medical Associates
in Rochester, New York, is a group practice serving 20,000 patients. The practice
implemented such strategies as placing a health maintenance sheet in the front of every
patient chart and identifying high risk patients, checking their immunization status, and
giving needed vaccinations via standing orders.
Managed Care
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care in
Massachusetts is a managed care organization that serves 300,000 patients in the Boston
metropolitan area. Strategies implemented include a system-wide policy of searching
records for high risk diagnosis and patient age; the generated list is then sent to the
primary care physicians. The MCO also uses mailed reminders and holds special group
immunization sessions.
Hospitals
St. Mary's Duluth Clinic Health
System in Duluth, Minnesota, is a 300 bed acute care medical center. The staff encourages
and offers influenza vaccination to any patient and offers vaccination on or prior to day
of discharge. The use of standing orders facilitates this capacity to offer influenza
vaccination to those who need or want the vaccine.
Long-Term Care
Dayton's Bluff Community
Care Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota, is a 183-bed facility with 99% of the residents aged
65 or older. This organization encourages staff to be vaccinated against influenza to
protect residents and provides free vaccine. Visitors are also encouraged to get influenza
vaccination from their providers. The staff provide pneumoccoal vaccination as part of
admission orders and give Td to residents with nosocomial and pre-existing stage 3 and 4
pressure ulcers.
Public Health
The Peer Review Organization
(PRO) of New Jersey developed a state-wide influenza prevention program to increase
Medicare reimbursement to health departments to cover the cost of influenza vaccine. The
PRO established a coalition for their Fight the Flu campaign, conducted a series
of workshops on Medicare billing, and developed media materials to advertise the campaign.
Other educational resources that can be ordered to support
adult immunization programs.
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