Assessing immunization coverage in private practice

To achieve national health objectives of eliminating most childhood vaccine-preventable diseases by the year 2010, all health care providers will have to improve the immunization rates of their patients. Currently, immunization rates of children 19 to 35 months of age are less than national objectives, suggesting a need for optimized immunization services. A key strategy for improving age-appropriate immunization coverage by health care providers is the assessment of immunization coverage. Because most (62%), immunization services in the United States are delivered in the private sector, a concerted effort in private practice is critical to improving immunization rates. Assessment of immunization coverage of patients enrolled in private practice serves 1) to measure the overall performance of the practice in providing the standard of care, 2) to identify strategies for improving coverage, and 3) to document the quality of health services delivered (report card). Assessment of immunization coverage has been demonstrated in several practice settings to be highly effective in improving immunization rates. All types of physicians should benefit from assessing immunization coverage of their patients. Simple assessment tools are available at no cost to the public and can be obtained by contacting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These tools include a manual self-assessment or a computerized software package (CASA) to fit the needs of the practice.