Related Experiment Videos
Policy and practice--an audit of neonatal BCG immunization in Avon
S Ahmed1, N R Hicks, R Stanwell-Smith
1Frenchay Health Authority, Bristol.
Insights
Auditing the Avon Neonatal BCG Immunization Policy revealed low initial vaccine uptake. Interventions significantly improved BCG immunization rates in infants eligible for the vaccine.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal healthcare
- Public health policy
- Immunization practices
Background:
- The Avon Neonatal BCG Immunization Policy aimed to ensure timely vaccination.
- Compliance with this policy was not previously assessed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To audit the Avon Neonatal BCG Immunization Policy.
- To assess BCG vaccine uptake in eligible infants before their six-week postnatal check.
Main Methods:
- Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted to audit BCG immunization rates.
- Interventions were implemented between surveys to improve policy compliance.
Main Results:
- The initial survey found only 13.3% of eligible infants received BCG. Following interventions, the repeat survey showed an uptake of 80%.
- This improvement represents a statistically significant increase in vaccination rates (p < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
- Auditing clinical practice and implementing targeted interventions can markedly improve adherence to immunization policies.
- The audit cycle is an effective tool for enhancing neonatal healthcare outcomes.
Abstract:
Two surveys were carried out to audit the Avon Neonatal BCG Immunization Policy. The aim of the audit was to determine whether children with indications for neonatal BCG immunization had received the vaccine before attendance at routine six-week postnatal examination. In the first survey, 15 of 359 (4.2 per cent) infants were identified as eligible for BCG, of whom only two (13.3 per cent) had received it. These findings were discussed with the medical and nursing staff involved in the care of the infants in Avon, and action was taken to improve compliance with the policy. The survey was then repeated to complete the loop of the audit cycle and to observe whether the action taken had the desired effect. Forty of 644 (6.2 per cent) infants were identified as being eligible for BCG immunization in the repeat survey, of whom 32 (80 per cent) had received it. There was a statistically significant difference in results between the first and the second survey (p < 0.0001). It is concluded that completion of the audit cycle can markedly improve clinical practice.