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
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.