Initiative to Increase Pneumococcal Vaccination Rates in Rural Georgia FQHC Clinics

Location

Georgia

Start Date

16-5-2017 1:00 PM

Description

A group of FQHCs clinics in rural Southwest Georgia increased pneumococcal vaccine coverage among patients 65 years and older through a quality improvement pilot using several interventions: population management tool providing monthly feedback; educational seminar for providers and staff; educational materials for patients; standing orders protocol; and physician-led education for vaccine-hesitant patients. Two physician champions, trained by the American College of Physicians, served as project leaders in four clinics; six other participating clinics did not have a champion but were encouraged to use the same interventions.

Results:

Pneumococcal vaccination rates rose from 19.9% to 60.1% (n=4,082 patients) in 10 months. The top three performing physicians were from the champions’ clinics and had increases of +90%, +69%, and +62.2%. The bottom three physicians were from non-champion clinics. There was a trend toward increased rates in non-champion clinics during the later months, possibly because of the monthly reports, which allowed peer-to-peer comparisons.

Embargo Period

6-26-2017

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COinS
 
May 16th, 1:00 PM

Initiative to Increase Pneumococcal Vaccination Rates in Rural Georgia FQHC Clinics

Georgia

A group of FQHCs clinics in rural Southwest Georgia increased pneumococcal vaccine coverage among patients 65 years and older through a quality improvement pilot using several interventions: population management tool providing monthly feedback; educational seminar for providers and staff; educational materials for patients; standing orders protocol; and physician-led education for vaccine-hesitant patients. Two physician champions, trained by the American College of Physicians, served as project leaders in four clinics; six other participating clinics did not have a champion but were encouraged to use the same interventions.

Results:

Pneumococcal vaccination rates rose from 19.9% to 60.1% (n=4,082 patients) in 10 months. The top three performing physicians were from the champions’ clinics and had increases of +90%, +69%, and +62.2%. The bottom three physicians were from non-champion clinics. There was a trend toward increased rates in non-champion clinics during the later months, possibly because of the monthly reports, which allowed peer-to-peer comparisons.