Evaluation of a novel discharge reminder tool on pneumococcal vaccination in hospitalized elderly veterans

Abstract

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for pneumococcal vaccinations include updates on appropriate spacing between the 13‐valent conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and the 23‐valent polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23). The schedule may confuse providers leading to either vaccine omission or inappropriate vaccination. Numerous facilities have implemented inpatient reminder tools with limited success rates; however, the complexity of vaccine selection is not eliminated with this reminder approach nor does it provide education to the provider on ACIP recommendations. The Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare System implemented a tool to provide patient specific guidance and education on ACIP‐appropriate vaccine selection embedded within a required discharge note called the discharge instruction inpatient note (DIPN). This study evaluates its impact on pneumococcal vaccination rates in hospitalized veterans 65\u2009years of age and older.