The association between greater continuity of care and timely measles-mumps-rubella vaccination.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed whether greater continuity of care is associated with timely administration of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination.


METHODS
We studied 11,233 patients continuously enrolled in Group Health Cooperative (GHC) from birth to 15 months. We used a preestablished index to quantify continuity of care based on the number of primary care providers in relation to the number of clinic visits. MMR vaccination status at 15 months was assessed with automated immunization data systems at GHC.


RESULTS
In a logistic regression model, both medium continuity (odds ratio [OR] = 1.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.08, 1.33) and high continuity (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.22, 1.52) were associated with increased likelihood of being immunized by 15 months compared with patients in the lowest tercile of continuity of care.


CONCLUSIONS
Greater continuity of care is associated with more timely immunization.
Christakis
D A
DA
Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle 98103-8652, USA. dachris@u.washington.edu
Mell
L
L
Wright
J A
JA
Davis
R
R
Connell
F A
FA
D002662:Child Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007223:Infant; D007348:Insurance, Health; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008458:Measles Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine; D009108:Mumps Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012411:Rubella Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017778:Vaccines, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014861:Washington
D008458:Measles Vaccine; D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine; D009108:Mumps Vaccine; D012411:Rubella Vaccine; D017778:Vaccines, Combined