title: Improving adult immunization practices using a team approach in the primary care setting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to improve the immunization rates of primary care practices using a team approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Practices performed 35 random chart abstractions at 2 time points and completed a survey about immunizations at baseline and 12 months after intervention. Data were collected for the following immunizations: influenza, pneumococcal, tetanus diphtheria (Td)/tetanus diphtheria pertussis (Tdap), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningococcal, varicella, herpes zoster, and human papilloma virus. Between baseline and after intervention, practice teams were given feedback reports and access to an online educational tool, and attended quality improvement coaching conference calls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant improvements were seen for Td/Tdap (45.6% pre-intervention, 55.0% post-intervention; P  ≤ .01), herpes zoster (12.3% pre-intervention, 19.3% post-intervention; P ≤ .01), and pneumococcal (52.2% pre-intervention, 74.5% post-intervention; P ≤ .01) immunizations. Data also revealed an increase in the number of physicians who discussed herpes zoster and pneumococcal vaccinations with their patients (23.2% pre-intervention, 43.3% post-intervention; P ≤ .01 and 19.9% pre-intervention, 43.0% post-intervention; P ≤ .01, respectively) as well as an increase in physicians using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention immunization schedule (52.9% pre-intervention, 88.2% post-intervention; P ≤ .02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The immunization rates of the primary care practices involved in this study improved.
authors.affiliation: American College of Physicians, Philadelphia, PA, USA. mgannon@acponline.org
authors.forename: Meghan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gannon
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Qaseem
authors.forename: Qianna
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Snooks
authors.forename: Vincenza
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Snow
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000592:standards; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D058996:Quality Improvement