Impact of pharmacist intervention on influenza vaccination rates

Objectives: Influenza vaccination rates are a quality metric used to compare hospitals across the United States on the quality of care provided to their patients.  Influenza vaccination rates at Emory University Hospital (EUH) were below average compared to other institutions in the Atlanta area and nationwide.  In order to provide the best patient care possible and retain our status as a provider of high quality patient care, this project sought to implement an intervention to increase the compliance with this core measure at the institution.

Methods: Adult patients who were admitted to EUH in November 2010 and refused an influenza vaccination were included in this pilot study.  Patients were identified by a computer-generated report.  Each patient was provided an influenza vaccine informational handout and counseled on the importance of vaccination by a pharmacy resident.  If the patient decided to receive the influenza vaccine at that time, a new order was entered for a dose to be given that day.  The interaction with the patient was documented in the electronic medical record (EMR), which included the reason for vaccination refusal. 

Results: Overall a total of 69 patients were identified as having refused the influenza vaccine and were counseled on the importance of vaccination.  Of these, 23 (33%) patients consented to receive the vaccine, and an order was placed.  Six patients were identified who had already received the influenza vaccine earlier in the season, and proper documentation was subsequently recorded in the EMR.  Despite counseling, 33 patients still declined vaccination. 

Conclusion: Pharmacists were able to increase the influenza vaccination rate during the pilot period by increasing awareness of the importance of the vaccination.  Of patients who were documented as refusing vaccination, 33% were vaccinated after pharmacist intervention and 42% had proper documentation of vaccination status.