Influenza & Pneumococcal Immunizations Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination levels among adults 65 years of age and older remain well below the Healthy People 2010 objective of 90%. There is a need for more effective strategies for delivering vaccines to high-risk persons, medical providers, and household contacts.
Quality Insights is working with a selected group of physician practices throughout the state to use electronic health records (EHRs) to improve immunization and pnuemococcal vaccination rates. We are helping the participating practices use their EHR to implement care management processes that focus on these illnesses.
We used Doctor’s Office Quality–Information Technology University (DOQ-IT University) to educate each participating practice on using its EHR capabilities to improve immunization rates. Each participating practice is using its certified EHR to report influenza and pneumococcal immunization data directly to the CMS Clinical Data Warehouse.
Interventions that support health information technology (HIT) can improve immunization rates through timely notification of providers and patients when a vaccination should be scheduled.
In addition to assisting the participating practices, we are monitoring statewide immunization rates and producing an annual report of statewide trends.
Visit the Immunization Action Coalition's Web site for vaccine information for health care professionals.
The CDC's Web site offers information about the flu and pneumonia.