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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Zuzka P. Eggena, MD, MPH, Public Health, Service Planning Area 3, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, 330 West Maple Ave., Monrovia, CA 91016, 626-256-1638, zeggena@dhs.co.la.ca.us
As the age of the population of Los Angeles County increases, the number of residents in chronic care facilities is also expected to rise. Although vaccine for influenza and pneumonia have been demonstrated effective in reducing morbidity and mortality related to the diseases, national and Los Angeles County surveys indicate that the use of these vaccines is underutilized in institutional settings, even after they became covered benefits of Medicare Part B.
SPA 3 staff formed a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency team to develop a strategy to address the problem. In addition to SPA 3 staff, team members included representatives from California Medical Review Inc., Immunization Program, Facilities Division, and an Administrator from a multi-level chronic care facility. All provided expertise in different areas.
The goal was to motivate the facilities to immunize residents and staff. An educational packet was developed and PHNs were trained on educating the facilities, providing information and tools on developing a policy, obtaining vaccines, and completing roster billing for reimbursement for vaccines and their administration.
During the first year, 29 of 81 facilities were visited and responded with enthusiasm. Evaluation of changes in vaccine rates and development of policies will be presented. Additional benefits, the development of relationships, will be discussed. Of special significance are the low immunization rates of employees which will be addressed by newly developed recommendations for the 2002-03 effort.
Future plans include updating of materials, ongoing reinforcement with the facilities, and sharing of the training packet with other health departments.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Immunizations, Long-Term Care
Related Web page: www.lapublichealth.org/spa3
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.