Pneumonia and influenza are the fifth leading causes of death in the United States in patients age 65 years and older. Vaccinations for influenza and pneumococcal have been shown to reduce deaths. OFMQ works with providers in virtually every setting to increase influenza and pneumococcal immunization rates for Medicare beneficiaries, and to improve pneumonia treatment.
Physician Office: The efforts to increase immunization rates in the physician office setting include developing office protocols to remind and encourage adults to receive routine vaccinations, targeting outreach efforts to patients with the greatest risk, and sharing information about the importance of routine immunizations with patients. More.
Hospitals: Since not all patients seek routine office care, the only care often received is in the hospital. Therefore, it is imperative that this opportunity for assessment, education, and immunization is not missed. OFMQ engages hospitals in initiating prevention steps including assessing for and immunizing all eligible patients for influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia.
Home Health Care: Efforts to increase immunization rates in the home health setting include incorporating influenza and pneumococcal immunizations into an agency’s comprehensive patient assessment, including offering these vaccinations (or aligning themselves to a vaccination source, i.e., physician practice sites, departments of health), as well as providing follow-up activities to ensure the patient has received vaccination. Access a comprehensive Immunizations Toolkit for Home Health Agencies.
Nursing Home: Nursing home residents are a priority population for receiving the influenza and pneumococcal vaccines. A comprehensive, concerted effort is essential to improve influenza and pneumococcal vaccination delivery in nursing homes. Access the Immunization Toolkit for Nursing Homes.
Immunization Resources and Links:
Order from OFMQ - A variety of provider-directed tools are available to download and order at no-cost
MedQIC - Medicare Quality Improvement resources - Immunization resources available for each provider setting
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
National Foundation for Infectious Diseases
www.pandemicflu.gov - U.S. Government avian and pandemic flu information
Immunization Action Coalition