TY  - JOUR
T1  - IMproving immunization rates in private pediatric practices through physician leadership
AU  - Sinn JS, Morrow AL, Finch AB
Y1  - 1999/06/01
N1  - 10.1001/archpedi.153.6.597
JO  - Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
SP  - 597
EP  - 603
VL  - 153
IS  - 6
N2  - Objective 
    To determine whether a physician-led quality improvement initiative can improve immunization rates in participating private practices.Design 
    Surveys of private pediatric practices at 6-month intervals over an 18-month period.Setting 
    Ten private pediatric practices in Norfolk and Virginia Beach, Va.Patients 
    Children aged 9 to 30 months attending the private practices.Interventions 
    Practice immunization rates were assessed and presented to practices on 4 occasions at 6-month intervals. A physician leader convened an immunization task force meeting following the first 3 assessments to review practice guidelines, examine data, and discuss practice changes.Main Outcome Measures 
    Practice immunization rates for patients at age 24 months, with 3- and 12-month immunization rates as secondary outcomes.Results 
    The mean practice immunization rate at age 24 months increased significantly (P<.05) from 50.9% at baseline to 69.7%. Rates also increased at age 3 months, from 75.5% to 88.9%, and at age 12 months, from 72.9% to 84.6%. The median age at administration of the fourth dose of diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid, and pertussis vaccine decreased (P<.05) from 17.6 to 16.8 months. Physicians also reported making additional changes, including improved record keeping and screening for immunizations at every visit.Conclusion 
    A quality improvement initiative enabling physician leadership can improve preschool immunization practices and coverage levels in pediatric practices.
SN  - 1072-4710
M3  - doi: 10.1001/archpedi.153.6.597
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.153.6.597
ER  -