Immunization Resources

Immunization Background

Pneumonia and influenza are the fifth leading causes of death in the United States in patients age 65 years and older. Influenza and pneumococcal immunizations have been shown to reduce deaths.

Quality Insights of Delaware is working to increase the number of Delawareans with Medicare who receive an annual influenza vaccine and a pneumonia vaccine at least once after age 65.

Our efforts reflect the intent of the Healthy Delaware 2010 goal of increasing the immunization rates for these two vaccines to 90 percent.

Since not all patients seek routine outpatient medical care , it is important that health care providers in alternative settings - hospital, home health, or nursing home - use every opportunity for assessment, education, and immunization.

Quality Insights offers improvement tools and patient educational materials to assist all health care providers with their practice improvement efforts.

General Resources

• 2006-2007 Influenza (Flu) Season Resources For Health Care Professionals, MedLearn Matters September 2006
  
  
• Adult Immunizations brochure, Medicare Learning Network, May 2005
  
  
• Guidelines for Payment of Vaccine (Pneumococcal Pneumonia Virus, Influenza Virus, and Hepatitis B Virus) Administration, MedLearn Matters, March 17, 2006
  
  
• National Influenza Vaccine Summit Newsletter, June 2006
  
  
• National Influenza Vaccine Summit Newsletter, July 2006
  
  
• Prevention and Control of Influenza: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), Early Release June 28, 2006

General Tools

• Adult Immunization Card
  
  
• Ask Your Doctor About the Pneumonia Shot Today, English and Spanish CDC brochures
  
  
• Flu Questions & Answers, Quality Insights fact sheet
  
  
• Immunization for Adults, CDC fact sheet
  
  
• Pneumonia Questions & Answers, Quality Insights fact sheet
  
  
• Questions about the Pneumococcal Shot, English/Spanish CDC brochure
  
  
• Top 3 Reasons to Get Your Flu Vaccine, CDC poster
  
  
• Your Patients Count on You, CDC poster

Home Health Tools

• Fight the Flu Campaign Preparation, Quality Insights sample action plan
  
  
• Fight the Flu Immunization Resources, Quality Insights website compilation
  
  
• Fight the Flu Vaccination Log, Quality Insights sample tool

Hospital Tools

• Inpatient Vaccine Screening and Administration Policy, Quality Insights sample
  
  
• Inpatient Vaccine Screening and Order Form, Quality Insights sample tool
  
  
• Inpatient Screening and Vaccination Protocol, Quality Insights sample

Physician Office Tools

• Adult Immunization Card
  
  
• Ask Your Doctor About the Pneumonia Shot Today, English and Spanish CDC brochures
  
  
• Flu Questions & Answers, Quality Insights fact sheet
  
  
• Flu Waiting Room Workout, Quality Insights intervention
  
  
• Immunization for Adults, CDC fact sheet
  
  
• Pneumonia Questions & Answers, Quality Insights fact sheet
  
  
• Questions about the Pneumococcal Shot, English/Spanish CDC brochure
  
  
• Top 3 Reasons to Get Your Flu Vaccine, CDC poster
  
  
• Your Patients Count on You, CDC poster

Skilled Nursing Facilities Tools

• Immunizations Toolkit, Quality Partners of Rhode Island sample tools
  
  
• National Improvement Collaborative to Kick the Flu, CDC and RAND Corporation toolkit
  
  
• Factors Predictive of Increased Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccination Coverage in Long-term Care Facilities: The CMS-CDC Standing Orders Program Project, Barbara H. Bardenheier, MPH, MA et al
  
  
• Protect Your Residents, Protect Yourself Newsletter, Quality Partners of Rhode Island sample tool
  
  
• Riveting Facts About the Flu Newsletter, Quality Partners of Rhode Island sample tool
  
  
• Sample Staff Letter, Quality Partners of Rhode Island sample tool

Helpful Web Links

• American Lung Association Cold and Flu Guidelines
  
  
• American Lung Association Flu Clinic Locator
  
  
• CDC Flu Gallery
  
  
• CDC Flu Professionals
  
  
• CDC National Immunization Program Materials
  
  
• Health and Human Services Pandemic Flu information
  
  
• Maxim Health Systems Find a Flu Clinic
  
  
• Medqic Home Health Immunization Toolkit
  
  
• Medqic Hospital Immunization Toolkit
  
  
• Medqic Physician Office Immunization Tools
  
  
• National Institutes of Health Medline Plus - Flu
  
  
• National Immunization Coalitions Assistance Center