Achieving the national health objective for influenza immunization: Success of an institution-wide vaccination program

Kristin L. Nichol, Jane E. Korn, Karen L. Margolis, Gregory A. Poland, Roberta Petzel, Richard P. Lofgren

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

80 Scopus citations

Abstract

PURPOSE: To enhance influenza vaccination rates for high-risk outpatients at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, an institution-wide immunization program was implemented during 1987. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The program consisted of: (1) a hospital policy allowing nurses to vaccinate without a signed physician's order; (2) stamped reminders on all clinic progress notes; (3) a 2-week walk-in flu shot clinic; (4) influenza vaccination "stations" in the busiest clinic areas; and (5) a mailing to all outpatients. Risk characteristics and vaccination rates for patients were estimated from a validated self-administered postcard questionnaire mailed to 500 randomly selected outpatients. For comparison, 500 patients were surveyed from each of three other Midwestern VAMCs without similar programs. RESULTS: Overall, 70.6% of Minneapolis patients were high-risk and 58.3% of them were vaccinated. In contrast, 69.9% of patients at the comparison medical centers were high-risk, but only 29.9% of them were vaccinated. CONCLUSION: The Minneapolis VAMC influenza vaccination program was highly successful and may serve as a useful model for achieving the national health objective for influenza immunization.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)156-160
Number of pages5
JournalAmerican Journal of Medicine
Volume89
Issue number2
StatePublished - 1990

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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