Abstract
Abstract
Background
Pneumonia is a common illness in COPD and asthma. Readmissions due to disease exacerbations have a substantial impact on resource utilization. Efforts to increase the awareness of recommended pneumonia prevention strategies are supported to minimize these exacerbations and eventually to decrease morbidity and mortality.
Methods
In March 2017, our team of medical residents initiated a quality improvement (QI) project to improve the vaccination status of hospitalized patients. The team provided education to inpatient care providers on medical floors regarding pneumonia vaccination guidelines. Questionnaire based data regarding pneumonia vaccination status was collected from the admitted patients with documented diagnoses of COPD, Asthma, current smokers and those ≥ 65 years from April to May, 2017. Based on the survey, Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) or Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) was offered to the patients. Faculty from divisions of Pulmonary Medicine and Geriatrics supervised the team. The project is ongoing; expected goal of 400 patients to be targeted prior to presentation.
Results
Our study had 100 patients of which 45 confirmed they were not immunized. 21 of these were given PCV13 based on age (> 65 years) while 12 received PPSV23.
Age (n) in years
Vaccination status
prior to admission (n)
Patient aware of
difference between
PCV13 and PPSV23
vaccines (%)
Vaccination status
at discharge (n)
<65
65
Up to date
Not up to date
Unsure
If vaccinated
Vaccinated
but uncertain about year or type of vaccination
Aware
Not aware
Not asked or not able to assess
Vaccination indicated with certainty
Vaccinated
Not vaccinated due to
refusal
38
62
42
45
3
10
5
85
10
45
33
12
Conclusion
Optimization of vaccination in COPD and Asthma patients requires a multidisciplinary collaboration of primary care providers, patient awareness and willingness to accept vaccination. This pilot QI project results indicate that many patients were not aware of the difference between the vaccines they received or when they received; this made successful vaccination difficult. Majority of patients agreed for vaccination once counseled regarding indications.
Disclosures
All authors: No reported disclosures.