How much does a regional immunization registry increase documented immunization rates at primary care sites in rural colorado?
OBJECTIVE
To determine increases in immunization up-to-date (UTD) rates at a rural pediatric practice with the sequential addition of records from other sites in a 2-county region.


METHODS
UTD rates for children aged 3 months to 35 months (n = 876) were determined for the index practice and then recalculated after sequential addition of records from 1) the other private practice in the region, 2) 7 public primary care sites, and 3) 2 public health clinics in the region.


RESULTS
Adding records from all sites increased documented UTD rates in the index practice from 49% to 64% at 3 months (N = 33, P = 0.025), 50% to 68% at 5 months (N = 38, P = 0.008), 28% to 45% at 7 months (N = 113, P <.01), 29% to 54% at 12 months (N = 200, P <.001), 11% to 35% at 19 months (N = 124, P <.001), and 10% to 33% at 24 months (N = 368, P <.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Regional registries will be valuable tools for immunization delivery if there is an ongoing commitment to effective collection of current and historical immunization data.
Kempe
A
A
Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver 80218, USA. kempe.allison@tchden.org
Steiner
J F
JF
Renfrew
B L
BL
Lowery
E
E
Haas
K
K
Berman
S
S
D002675:Child, Preschool; D003120:Colorado; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007223:Infant; D011331:Private Practice; D012041:Regional Medical Programs; D012042:Registries; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*