Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-9-2024
Identifier
DOI: 10.1097/pq9.0000000000000725; PMCID: PMC11093563
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Patients with rheumatic diseases are at a high risk of invasive pneumococcal disease due to immunosuppression. We conducted a quality improvement project, and the first aim was to increase the percentage of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and mixed connective tissue disease that is up to date on pneumococcal vaccinations from 9.6% to 80% within one year. Subsequently, the second aim was to increase the percentage of patients on immunosuppression with systemic lupus erythematosus, mixed connective tissue disease, juvenile dermatomyositis and systemic vasculitis that is up to date on pneumococcal vaccinations from 62.6% to 80% within one year.
METHODS: Two process measures were up-to-date vaccination status on (1) 13-valent pneumococcal conjugated vaccine (PCV13) and (2) 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23). Our outcome measure was being fully up to date on both pneumococcal vaccinations. Interventions included an immunization algorithm, reporting of eligible patients, education, reminders, and pre-visit planning.
RESULTS: There were shifts in the centerline for all quality measures in both phases of this project. The combined pneumococcal vaccination rate for Phase 1 increased from 9.6% to 91.1%, and this centerline was sustained. Pneumococcal vaccination rates also significantly increased for Phase 2: 68.8% to 93.4% for PCV13, 65.2% to 88.5% for PPSV23, and 62.6% to 86.5% for the combined pneumococcal vaccination rate.
CONCLUSIONS: Quality improvement methodology significantly increased and sustained pneumococcal vaccination rates in our high-risk, immunosuppressed patients. We continue to prioritize this important initiative to mitigate the risk of invasive pneumococcal disease.
Journal Title
Pediatr Qual Saf
Volume
9
Issue
3
First Page
725
Last Page
725
Recommended Citation
Harris JG, Jones JT, Favier L, et al. Improving Pneumococcal Vaccination Rates in Immunosuppressed Pediatric Patients with Rheumatic Disease. Pediatr Qual Saf. 2024;9(3):e725. Published 2024 May 9. doi:10.1097/pq9.0000000000000725
Comments
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 (CCBY), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Publisher's Link: https://journals.lww.com/pqs/fulltext/2024/05000/improving_pneumococcal_vaccination_rates_in.2.aspx