Sustainability of pharmacy-based innovations: the case of in-house immunization services

To examine the effect of organization-level factors on sustainability of pharmacy-based in-house immunization services.

Cross-sectional study.

Washington State community pharmacies in 2006.

Key informants of 490 community pharmacies.

Mixed-mode survey; five mail and telephone contacts were used.

Effectiveness of champions (i.e., influential individuals within the host organization who actively and continuously promote the service), formal evaluation process, degree of modifications made to in-house services, degree of compatibility between in-house services and the host pharmacy, and sustainability of in-house immunization services were measured and included in the proposed model. Using survey responses, factor analysis and path analysis were performed to determine the relationships among these variables.

Of the 490 survey instruments sent, 1 was undeliverable, 2 were incomplete, and 206 were completed (42.1% response rate). A total of 104 pharmacies that reported offering immunization services in 2006 were included in the analysis. Compatibility, which was defined as the fit between in-house immunization services and the host pharmacy, was the key to sustainability of immunization services. To enhance compatibility between in-house services and the host pharmacy, two pathways were found. First, in-house services underwent formal evaluations and subsequent modifications were made to the services. The second pathway bypassed the adaptation process. Through the second pathway, an operational champion implemented in-house services in a way that was already compatible with the host pharmacy.

Organizational leaders and practitioners had the potential to sustain in-house services. The key factors included in the model should be incorporated as an integral part of programs planning to foster sustainability of in-house immunization services.