Impact of practice policies on pediatric immunizat... [J Pediatr. 2010] - PubMed result

J Pediatr. 2010 Apr;156(4):618-22. Epub 2010 Jan 13.
Impact of practice policies on pediatric immunization rates.

Mennito SH, Darden PM.

Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics, Charleston, South Carolina, USA. mennito@musc.edu

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe the relationship between practice policies and rates of up-to-date (UTD).

STUDY DESIGN: Analysis of data from the 2004-2006 National Immunization Survey (NIS). Practice policies evaluated are immunization provider involvement in a vaccine registry, participation in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, and administration of hepatitis B vaccine at birth. The primary outcome is rates of being UTD with the 4:3:1:3:3 vaccination series for children age 19 through 35 months.

RESULTS: The overall rate of UTD is 80.8%; 53.3% of children had providers administer hepatitis B vaccine at birth, which was associated with significantly higher rates of UTD (79.9% vs. 83.1%, P < .01). Children with multiple vaccine providers had lower rates of UTD versus those with only 1 vaccine provider (77.3% vs 82.5%; P < .01). In multivariable analysis, participation in VFC (OR 1.59, 95%, CI 1.16-2.2) and administration of hepatitis B at birth (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.05-1.5) increased the odds of UTD. Provider participation in a vaccine registry did not significantly impact rates or likelihood of UTD. CONCLUSIONS: Immunization provider policy decisions, including administration of hepatitis B at birth, participation in VFC, and a focus on continuity of care, can improve rates of UTD for children in their practice. Copyright 2010 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. PMID: 20056238 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Impact of practice policies on pediatric immunizat... [J Pediatr. 2010] - PubMed result