The establishment and validation of the mobile immunization team concept at a clinic level.
Faced with unacceptably low and declining overall immunization compliance, as well as specific flu immunization compliance, the Executive Committee of a 32-person Air National Guard clinic asked the nursing service to devise a method of correcting these deficiencies as rapidly as possible and maintaining immunization compliance at a rate of 90% or better of the total patient population of approximately 1,100 full-time and Guard personnel for whom the clinic was responsible. The concept of a mobile immunization team was devised and validated over a 2-year interval. In order to successfully develop and implement this concept, command emphasis and a high level of cooperation from both clinic personnel and the Unit Commanders involved was requested and received. The make-up of the team, risk management, the timing and place of team visits, and record keeping were among the problems addressed and resolved. The mobile immunization team concept was a success, achieving excellent overall immunization compliance and outstanding compliance with the flu immunization program over a 2-year period.
Higgins
S J
SJ
11th TAC Clinic, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, Willow Grove NAS 19090.
Walls
E A
EA
Fisher
A G
AG
Smith
D C
DC
Humphries
T J
TJ
D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008889:Military Personnel; D008952:Mobile Health Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D012308:Risk Management