Impact of immunization at sick visits on well-child care.
OBJECTIVE
We assessed the impact of immunization at sick visits on subsequent and overall well-child care.


METHODS
We performed a retrospective cohort study using electronic health record data from 4 urban practices affiliated with an academic medical center. Participants included all children born between September 1, 2003, and July 31, 2004, with a visit at a study practice before 6 weeks of age and > or = 1 sick visit (n = 1675). The main outcome measures were (1) attendance at a well-child visit within 60 days after an index sick visit by children due for vaccines and preventive care and (2) the overall number of well-child visits kept by children between 6 weeks and 13 months of age.


RESULTS
Among all demographic and health-related factors considered, immunization receipt at a sick visit was associated most strongly with decreased subsequent well-child care. Among children already delayed (late) for vaccines, 31% returned for well-child care if immunizations were given at eligible sick visits, compared with 47% of those who received no vaccines (risk difference, with adjustment for covariates: -16%). Among those without immunization delay, 42% of children who received vaccines returned for well-child care, compared with 73% of those who received no vaccines (risk difference: -31%). Although 5 well-child visits are recommended, children with no immunizations at sick visits had an adjusted predicted number of 3.8 well-child visits, those with 1 sick visit with immunizations had 3.3 visits, and those with > or = 2 sick visits with immunizations had 2.8 visits between 6 weeks and 13 months of age.


CONCLUSIONS
Immunization at sick visits was associated with decreased rates of well-child care, especially among those without previous vaccine delay. This strong association between immunization at sick visits and well-child care should be considered in any plan to restructure pediatric preventive care.
Fiks
Alexander G
AG
Pediatric Research Consortium, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3535 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. fiks@email.chop.edu
Hunter
Kenya F
KF
Localio
A Russell
AR
Grundmeier
Robert W
RW
Alessandrini
Evaline A
EA
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009819:Office Visits; D010372:Pediatrics; D011314:Preventive Health Services