Immunization Status of NICU Graduates at a Tertiary Care Children's Hospital.
BACKGROUND
Approximately 500,000 infants are born prematurely each year in the United States. Immunization of infants in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) set a precedence for future immunizations.


OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this study were to determine the current rates of immunization and identify variables associated with immunizations of NICU graduates who were aged 60 days or older at time of discharge.


METHODS
This descriptive pilot study utilized retrospective paper medical record review in one tertiary children's hospital. The relationships between immunization status and study variables were examined using t tests and logistic regression.


RESULTS
Of 43 infants discharged at least 60 days of age or older from the NICU, 74.4% were fully immunized in accordance with American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations. Significant predictors were age at discharge for immunization and steroid use for nonimmunization.


CONCLUSIONS
Immunization needs to be a priority in order to give NICU infants every advantage regarding their future health status. Nurses need to implement hospital policies ensuring immunizations of NICU graduates.


CONCLUSIONS
Future studies should focus on samples from diverse hospitals and levels of NICUs. Qualitative studies exploring and describing parent and provider knowledge of current AAP guidelines will strengthen our understanding of potential barriers to immunization.
College of Nursing, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.
Janelle L B
JLB
Macintosh
Leslie J
LJ
Huggins
Lacey M
LM
Eden
Katreena Collette
KC
Merrill
Karlen E Beth
KEB
Luthy
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000367:Age Factors; D001049:Apnea; D001919:Bradycardia; D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; D022681:Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011054:Poliovirus Vaccine, Inactivated / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D022681:Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis Vaccines; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D011054:Poliovirus Vaccine, Inactivated