Educational Module to Improve Vaccine Storage and Handling in Private Practices Gillian Milne 1, Heather Martin 1, Jo Ann Nelson 1, Julie Boom M.D. 1,2 1 Texas Children’s Hospital 2 Baylor College of Medicine Houston, Texas
Background Immunization Project has developed Immunization Action Plan (IAP) Clinic assessment and feedback Standardized education Automated reminder system Development of registry
Background Texas Children’s Hospital Integrated Delivery System (TCHIDS) 43 private provider offices 3 health centers 110+ physicians
Background IAP Education Focus Educational module for nursing personnel Implementation of standardized materials Storage and handling of vaccines
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of an educational module focusing on improvement of vaccine storage and handling
Methods Develop assessment tool (checklist) Project personnel TCH pharmacy Houston Department of Health and Human Services Vaccines for Children Program
Storage and Handling Checklist
Methods Baseline practice evaluation –43 pediatrician’s offices, 3 health centers Introduction of educational materials –Video: Ice, Champagne and Roses –Storage and handling guidelines Re-evaluation –Thirteen months after introduction of educational materials
Results Baseline 21/46 80% Range % Mean 79% Post implementation 36/44 80% Range % Mean 89% (p<0.01)
Results Most Improved Areas Personnel knowledge of power outage emergency plan (p<0.01) Correct warning signs on storage units (p<0.01) Temperature log maintenance (p<0.01) Correct temperature range maintenance (p<0.013)
Results Areas Needing Improvement Items other than vaccines in units Vaccines out of original containers Open tuberculin test kits not dated No evidence of stock rotation
Follow-up Activities to Acknowledge Participants Announcement in monthly newsletter –Practices scoring 100% –Top 3 most improved practices Certificates and cookies for most improved practices
Future Plans Reassess practices annually Update guidelines as necessary Serve as resource for all practices Train Health Plan personnel on storage and handling evaluations
Conclusions Vaccine storage and handling can be significantly improved through simple interventions In an integrated health care delivery system, such as TCHIDS, it is relatively easy to implement standardized education