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The effect of additional shots on the vaccine administration process: results of a time-motion study in 2 settings
J M Pellissier1, P M Coplan, L A Jackson
1Merck Research Laboratories, Blue Bell, PA 19422, USA. james_pellissier@merck.com
Insights
Reducing the number of vaccine injections significantly saves healthcare provider time and decreases infant crying. Combination vaccines streamline pediatric immunization schedules, benefiting patients and caregivers.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Vaccinology
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Combination vaccines can reduce the total number of pediatric injections.
- Fewer injections offer benefits to patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers.
- Quantifying time savings from reduced vaccine administration is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the process of vaccine administration in a managed care setting.
- To quantify time savings associated with reducing the number of vaccine injections.
Main Methods:
- Time-motion data were collected by an industrial engineering consultant for vaccine administration in two settings: an examination room and a dedicated injection room.
- Data from 276 vaccination visits for children under two years old were analyzed using linear regression, adjusting for patient age.
- Vaccine-related activities and time spent on each were documented to identify savings per eliminated injection.
Main Results:
- Nurse time savings were 2.4 minutes per eliminated shot in the examination room (P = .006) and 1.7 minutes in the injection room (P < .001).
- Significant time reductions were observed in vaccine preparation, injection, and administrative tasks.
- Infant crying time decreased by 1.0 minute per eliminated shot in the examination room and 0.4 minutes in the injection room (P < .001 for both).
Conclusions:
- Eliminating injections through strategies like combination vaccines can significantly reduce vaccine administration time.
- Streamlining the vaccination process offers measurable benefits in efficiency and patient comfort.
- Managed care environments can achieve substantial time savings by optimizing vaccine administration protocols.
Context:
The introduction of combination vaccines to the pediatric regimen offers the possibility of reducing the number of injections required to reach full vaccination status. Fewer injections benefit the patient/child and the parent/caregiver, and the healthcare provider may benefit from savings in personnel time associated with vaccine administration. To date, however, these savings have not been quantified.
Objective:
To study the vaccine administration process in a managed care environment.
Study Design:
We studied 2 settings in which vaccinations were administered: (1) a devoted injection room and (2) the examination room as part of the well-child examination. For each setting, we documented the vaccine administration process, identified vaccine-related activities, and quantified the time savings in each activity by reductions in the number of shots.
Patients And Methods:
For vaccine recipients younger than 2 years, time-motion data on vaccine-related activities in 2 managed care settings were collected by a professional industrial engineering consultant. Activity time data by the number of shots administered were analyzed using linear regression adjusting for patient age.
Results:
We observed 276 vaccination visits (137 in an examination room, and 139 in an injection room). Total nurse time associated with vaccine administration decreased by 2.4 and 1.7 minutes per shot eliminated in the examination room setting (P = .006) and in the injection room setting (P < .001), respectively. Significant time savings were realized for activities associated with vaccine preparation, vaccine injection, and administrative duties. In addition, infant crying time decreased by 1.0 and 0.4 minutes per shot eliminated in the examination room and injection room settings, respectively (P < or = .001 for both).
Conclusions:
Significant reductions in vaccine administration time could be achieved by eliminating injections during a well-child regimen.
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