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Well Child Wednesdays: An interprofessional pilot-program to increase pediatric immunizations Post-COVID
Autumn Stewart-Lynch1,2, Sylvia Lombardo1, Donna Ceriani2
1Duquesne University, School of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Practice Division, 600 Forbes Ave, 209, Bayer Learning Center, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA.
Insights
A multidisciplinary initiative successfully increased well-child visits and immunizations post-COVID-19. The "Well-child Wednesdays" program addressed missed pediatric vaccinations in an underserved community.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Interprofessional Education
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted essential healthcare services, including routine well-child visits and childhood immunizations.
- This disruption disproportionately affected pediatric populations, leading to potential long-term health consequences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the development and evaluate the impact of a multidisciplinary initiative aimed at restoring well-child visits and immunization rates.
- The initiative focused on a four-week period following the initial COVID-19 pandemic disruptions.
Main Methods:
- A collaborative program involving student pharmacists, family medicine residents, and nurses was implemented in a family medicine practice.
- "Well-child Wednesdays" were established with adjusted staffing to prioritize patients with overdue vaccinations.
- Student pharmacists identified immunization gaps, coordinated scheduling, while residents and nurses conducted visits and administered vaccines.
Main Results:
- Out of 193 reviewed charts, 68 patients were identified as not up-to-date on routine vaccines.
- 29 patients were scheduled for visits, with 20 attending and receiving a total of 69 administered vaccines.
- The most frequently administered vaccines were DTaP (13 doses) and Hepatitis A (10 doses).
Conclusions:
- An interprofessional immunization program effectively addressed the decline in well-child visits and immunizations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- This initiative demonstrated a successful strategy for recovery of essential pediatric preventive care in underserved communities.
Background:
The COVID-19 pandemic halted routine medical care, including well-child visits (WCVs) and immunizations.
Purpose:
Describe the development and impact of a multidisciplinary initiative on the number of WCVs and immunizations delivered in aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic over a four week period between April 14, 2021 and May 5, 2021.
Methods:
Student pharmacists (SP), family medicine residents (FMRs), and nurses within a family medicine practice in a medically underserved community, developed a program to increase the number of pediatric patients up-to-date on WCVs and immunizations. "Well-child Wednesdays" used adjusted staffing to conduct visits with patients behind on vaccines. The 4-week pilot program utilized SPs to identify immunization gaps in patients less than 12 years old following chart review and to coordinate scheduling. During the visit, FMRs completed the components of the well-child visit; immunization gaps were communicated to the nurse who, after review, administered needed immunizations.
Discussion:
Of 193 patient charts reviewed for immunization needs, 68 were not up-to-date on routine vaccines and 29 patients (mean age 5 years old, 58.6% male) were able to be reached and agreed to schedule a visit. Of these, 20 kept their appointment and a total of 69 vaccines were administered, with DTaP as the most common with 13 doses administered followed by Hepatitis A with 10 doses given.
Conclusions:
An interprofessional immunization program was an effective strategy to address the decline in immunizations and WCVs as a result of COVID-19.
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