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Pre‐ and post‐intervention study examining immunisation rates, documentation, catch‐up delivery and the impact of a dedicated immunisation service at a tertiary paediatric hospital
Author(s) -
Tarca Adrian J,
Lau Gloria TY,
Mascaro Filomena,
Clifford Patricia,
Campbell Anita J,
Taylor Ellen
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of paediatrics and child health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.631
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1440-1754
pISSN - 1034-4810
DOI - 10.1111/jpc.15217
Subject(s) - medicine , cohort , documentation , medical record , pediatrics , cohort study , emergency medicine , medical emergency , retrospective cohort study , family medicine , surgery , computer science , programming language
Aim To explore immunisation rates and catch‐up delivery to children admitted to hospital before and after an immunisation service was commenced. Methods This pre‐ and post‐intervention study examined 300 admissions prior to (cohort 1) and 300 following (cohort 2) the introduction of an immunisation service. Immunisation rates, documentation, catch‐up delivery and accuracy of the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) were examined. Results On admission, 75% (cohort 1) and 89% (cohort 2) were up‐to‐date with immunisations. Immunisation history was documented in the medical record in 78% and requirement for catch‐up documented in 10%. AIR was incorrect in one‐third of cases. By 3 months following discharge, 28% (cohort 1) and 64% (cohort 2) of patients were immunised. Conclusions Children admitted to hospital have lower immunisation rates than the national average. Documentation was poor, opportunities for catch‐up were missed and AIR is error‐prone. Catch‐up rates increased following the introduction of an immunisation service.