title: Programmatic challenges in obtaining and confirming the pneumococcal vaccination status of cochlear implant recipients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bacterial meningitis represents a substantial concern for individuals with cochlear implants (CIs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Chart review and direct patient and family correspondence to ascertain vaccination status.
  
  
  METHODS
  Information dissemination via brochure and electronic media, ongoing reminders of the importance of vaccination when confirmation of vaccination was not received.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Marked improvement in vaccination rates ranging from 49% to 99% across different patient populations. Importantly, many patients received their vaccinations only after follow-up reminders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ensuring optimal vaccination of all CI recipients against high-risk pathogens is a significantly challenging task. Maximizing vaccination rates in CI users will require an ongoing, active effort of information dissemination, documentation of compliance, and well-designed behavioral systems to streamline the pragmatic challenges in vaccination delivery.
authors.affiliation: The Listening Center at Johns Hopkins, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Ryan M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Carpenter
authors.forename: Charles J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Limb
authors.forename: Howard W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Francis
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gottschalk
authors.forename: John K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Niparko
mesh_terms: D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003054:Cochlear Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines