Dramatic improvements in Utah immunization rates through measurement-feedback approach

3018.0: Monday, October 22, 2001 - 1:00 PM

Abstract #26449

Dramatic improvements in Utah immunization rates through measurement-feedback approach

Sauan Sukhan, PhD, Family Health Services, Salt Lake Valley Health Department, 610 South 200 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 and Beverly Hyatt Roach, MSPH, RD, Bureau of Health Promotion, Salt Lake Valley Health Department, 2001 S State St #S-2400, Salt Lake City, UT 84190-2150, 801-278-9629, broach@co.slc.ut.us.

As recently as 1996, Utah had the dubious distinction of having the lowest immunization rates in the U.S., with only 64% of children being fully immunized by two years of age.

Health planners in Salt Lake County, the largest population center of the state, designed and implemented an aggressive measurement-feedback program in 1997 to improve these dismal rates. During the ensuing years, after involving several work teams and eight clinic sites in a high-intensity community-wide program, the Salt Lake County rates increased to 88%, which was enough to boost the entire state’s overall rates to 82%. From 50th place among all states in 1996, the improvement brought Utah to the position of 25th place in 1999.

Health planners identified the following essential factors in the accomplishment of this dramatic rate increase:

clear prioritizing and goal-setting;
assembling effective work teams;
implementing standard data collection and good database maintenance;
establishing innovative incentives for both employees and clients;
employing an aggressive reminder/recall procedure to parents;
assessing rates monthly, using CDC’s Clinic Assessment Software Application (CASA); and
timely feedback, monitoring progress toward goals for both individual clinics and the project as a whole.

Participants in this highly successful endeavor concluded that implementing the same processes in other community health settings is likely to result in similar success for other population groups.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to:

Define the measurement-feedback approach and how it applies to immunization rate improvement.
List five essential elements in the process employed in Utah to successfully improve immunization rates.
Apply the principles used in Utah’s program to community health planning in other settings.

Keywords: Immunizations, Community Health Planning

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employment

The 129th Annual Meeting of APHA