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Assessment of candidacy for pneumococcal vaccination in intensive care patients

Geoffrey C Wall1, Jon J Van Der Veer, Megan J Romine

  • 1Pharmacy Practice, Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA. geoff.wall@drake.edu

Intensive & Critical Care Nursing
|December 4, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Most intensive care unit (ICU) patients qualify for the pneumococcal vaccine due to age or chronic conditions. However, few received the vaccine during their hospital stay, indicating a missed opportunity for improved immunization rates.

Area of Science:

  • * Medical research
  • * Public health
  • * Vaccinology

Background:

  • * Pneumococcal vaccination is crucial for preventing pneumonia, with established eligibility guidelines from the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
  • * Intensive care units (ICUs) may be overlooked settings for administering the pneumococcal vaccine to eligible patients.
  • * This study investigates the prevalence of pneumococcal vaccine candidacy among ICU patients and current vaccination practices.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To assess the characteristics of patients admitted to an ICU concerning their eligibility for the 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine.
  • * To evaluate the documentation of vaccination status and the administration of pneumococcal vaccines within the ICU setting.
  • * To identify potential missed opportunities for pneumococcal vaccination in critically ill patients.

Main Methods:

  • * A retrospective chart review was conducted for all single admissions to a 25-bed mixed ICU at a tertiary-care community teaching hospital.
  • * Data collected included patient demographics, pneumococcal vaccine eligibility criteria, prior vaccination status, and in-hospital vaccine administration.
  • * Patient outcomes were also documented as part of the review.

Main Results:

  • * A total of 263 ICU admissions were reviewed.
  • * The average patient had 2.3 risk factors for pneumococcal vaccine eligibility, with 57% over 65 and 81% having chronic heart or lung disease.
  • * Only 7 patients had documented immunization status, and just 14 received the vaccine during their ICU stay.

Conclusions:

  • * A significant majority of ICU patients in this tertiary-care hospital setting had indications for pneumococcal vaccination.
  • * Vaccination assessment and administration rates within the ICU were notably low.
  • * Implementing ICU protocols to empower nurses in assessing and administering pneumococcal vaccines could enhance immunization coverage.
Abstract

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