Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026

Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage
Published on: February 15, 2013
Not written, not done: are we identifying elderly at-risk patients for pneumococcal vaccination?
W L Macken1, H C Macken, I Callanan
1Department of Medicine, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. william.macken.1@ucdconnect.ie
Background:
Pneumococcal disease, especially in its invasive form, is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, with the advent of vaccination, invasive disease is potentially avoidable. This study aimed to assess the documentation of pneumococcal vaccination status in elderly patients by healthcare professionals in a busy teaching hospital environment.
Methods:
One hundred and fifty-seven open (active) medical records of inpatients and outpatients aged over 65 years were reviewed, to examine for evidence of documentation of pneumococcal vaccination status.
Results:
From the medical records, 338 patient encounters were studied. Overall, there was a mean of 2.4±1.2 indications for pneumococcal vaccination, with more indications in medical than in surgical patients (P=0.04). The rate of recording in respiratory outpatient clinics was 71.4% in comparison to 0% in other medical and surgical outpatient clinics. Overall the documentation rate was 2.1%.
Conclusions:
Only respiratory physicians had demonstrable evidence of actively asking about pneumococcal vaccination on a regular basis. There is considerable need for increased awareness among healthcare professionals and improvement in methods of recording vaccination status.
Related Concept Videos
Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed.
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
Atypical Pneumonia
Pneumonia I: Introduction
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Pneumonia I: Introduction
Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients
