Improving adult vaccination rates has been a longstanding goal of the nation’s public health experts. Adults are more likely than children to contract vaccine-preventable diseases, largely because adult immunization rates are considerably lower than childhood rates. Real-world data show that pneumococcal, influenza, tetanus, and herpes zoster vaccination rates lag well behind national goals, particularly for high-risk patient populations. Nearly 50,000 American adults die each year from vaccine-preventable diseases or their complications.
The Principal Investigators, Tracy Wang, MD (DCRI), along with Rowena Dolor, MD, and Alex Cho, MD, from DGIM, are analyzing data from primary care practices before, during, and after the deployment of educational interventions to determine which approaches were successful in helping patients understand the benefits and risks associated with various vaccinations. The project will be piloted throughout Duke Primary Care practices, engaging frontline clinic staff on improving patient awareness and delivery of indicated and customary immunization care for current adult patients.
Here is the project summary:
Project Name: The Adult Immunization Project
Short Title: “Duke Vaccinates”
Funding Agency: Pfizer
PI(s): Tracy Wang, MD (Duke Cardiology); Rowena Dolor, MD, Alex Cho, MD
Project Staff: Gretchen Sanders
Brief Description:
Through a Pfizer-sponsored collaboration led by DCRI Education with Duke Primary Care (DPC), the Duke Primary Care Research Consortium (PCRC), and Premier, researchers at Duke will analyze data from primary care practices before, during, and after the deployment of “audit-and-feedback” and educational co-interventions intended to bolster adult vaccination rates.
The project will utilize Premier’s CECity MedConcert quality analytics and visualization platform; and be piloted throughout Duke Primary Care practices, engaging frontline clinic staff and providers to improve patient awareness and systems for delivery of indicated and customary immunization care for adult patients.
The Duke PCRC is engaged in providing primary care clinical guidance and oversight; and working closely with DCRI Education on project design and implementation, leveraging the existing relationships the PCRC has with DPC leadership and network of primary care continuity practices.
Outcomes:
Vaccination rates for five vaccines indicated for four vaccine-preventable conditions: influenza, pneumococcal pneumonia (PPSV23 or Pneumovax and PCV13 or Prevnar), herpes zoster, and pertussis.
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Write to GIM Communications Strategist, Clare Il’Giovine
