Improving Vaccination Documentation Rates Among Patients With Breast Cancer Through Patient Outreach

Patients with cancer are at high risk for infection-related morbidity and mortality; vaccinations reduce this burden. In 2021, vaccination documentation rates were low at an academic medical center breast clinic.

The purpose of this pilot quality improvement project was to evaluate an education intervention to increase vaccination documentation among patients with breast cancer.

During a 16-week period, the 4 Pillars™ Practice Transformation Program was implemented. The oncology nurse navigator assessed and documented vaccination history, discussed recommendations with the provider, and recommended concurrent vaccinations. Within a two-week period, the oncology nurse navigator completed and documented vaccination follow-up via telephone.

Vaccination follow-up and documentation for influenza, shingles, and pneumococcal vaccines increased substantially. Findings indicate that an education and outreach program can increase vaccination documentation rates among patients with breast cancer.