title: Evidence-based strategies to improve immunization compliance of postgraduate medical trainees at large academic-medical facilities.
abstract: The purpose of this evaluation is to assess the effectiveness of the modifications made by the University of Toronto Postgraduate Medical Education to improve medical trainee compliance with the immunization standards set forth in national guidelines, provincial regulations and protocols and university policy. Trainee compliance with immunization requirements were evaluated as of January 2003, 2004 and 2005. Statistically significant increases in compliance rates for all required immunizations--hepatitis B virus, measles, rubella and chicken pox--and tuberculosis skin tests were observed. University of Toronto postgraduate medical trainees are now highly compliant with the Hospital Management Regulation 965 of the Ontario Public Hospitals Act, Canadian Immunization Guide, Public Health Agency of Canada guidelines for prevention and control of occupational infections in healthcare and the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine immunization policy.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario. thirumagal.kanagasabai@utoronto.ca
authors.forename: Thirumagal
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kanagasabai
authors.forename: Loreta
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Muharuma
authors.forename: Joy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McGuire
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vearncombe
authors.forename: Murray
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Urowitz
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017757:Infectious Disease Transmission, Professional-to-Patient / Q000517:prevention & control; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D009864:Ontario; D011159:Population Surveillance; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D015397:Program Evaluation; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*