Influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations in the emergency department.
Influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia remain among the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality of any of the infectious disease emergencies presenting to emergency departments (EDs). Because the ED has become a recommended location at which immunizations have been administered to prevent several infections, pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations can have an impact on the care of ED patients. ED personnel are uniquely positioned to vaccinate a substantial number of patients who would not otherwise be vaccinated, including many high-risk populations. In addition to decreasing vaccine-preventable mortality and morbidity from influenza and pneumococcal diseases, EDs that implement and monitor a systematic approach to these vaccinations can attenuate ED overcrowding and facilitate patient flow. ED vaccination strategies have been proved to be successful and reimbursable and are advocated by several major clinical practice advisory groups.
Martin
Daniel R
DR
Department of Emergency Medicine, The Ohio State University Medical Center, 410 West 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. martin.23@osu.edu
Brauner
Mark E
ME
Plouffe
Joseph F
JF
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003140:Communicable Disease Control; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D032541:Mass Vaccination; D008875:Middle Aged; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic
D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines