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Quality Improvement Project to Improve the Immunization Rate in the Women, Infant, and Children Program

A Good Idea

Description

The Reno County Health Department Quality Improvement team identified a gap in WIC children receiving their immunizations. The health department implemented a system in which an immunization nurse obtains the list of WIC children with appointments in the following week and reviews their immunization records. The children needing immunizations are called 2-4 days before their appointment as a reminder of the appointment and the fact that the child needs immunizations. On the day of their WIC appointment children are given their vaccines without waiting or making an appointment for a separate immunization visit.

Goal / Mission

The goal of this program is to increase the immunization rate of WIC children.

Impact

The WIC immunization rate for 2 year olds increased from 33% in the 3rd quarter of 2011 to 83% in the 4th quarter of 2012. The no-show rate for WIC appointments decreased from 68% to 27.6%.

Results / Accomplishments

The practice of calling the family 2-4 days before the scheduled appointment resulted in a 40.6% drop in the no-show rate (the no-show rate was as high as 68% and dropped to 27.6%). The WIC immunization rate for 2 year olds increased from 33% in the 3rd quarter of 2011 to 83% in the 4th quarter of 2012. A survey of parents showed that parents liked the "no wait" and "no multiple trips."

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Reno County WIC Program, Reno County Health Department
Primary Contact
Geri Hickman
Reno County Health Department
209 W 2nd St
Hutchinson, KS 67501
620-694-2900
geri.hickman@renogov.org
http://www.renogov.org/health/index.php?option=com...
Topics
Health / Children's Health
Health / Immunizations & Infectious Diseases
Health / Prevention & Safety
Organization(s)
Reno County WIC Program, Reno County Health Department
Date of implementation
Jul 2012
Geographic Type
Urban
Location
Reno County, KS
Target Audience
Children, Families
Submitted By
Geri Hickman, Reno County Health Department

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  3. Required Influenza Vaccination for Children in Licensed Child Care or Preschool Programs
  4. Vaccination Programs: Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Settings
  5. CDC COMMUNITY GUIDE: Universally Recommended Vaccinations: Home Visits to Increase Vaccination Rates
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Related Content for: Quality Improvement Project to Improve the Immunization Rate in the Women, Infant, and Children Program

A Good Idea meets the following HCI criteria:

  1. The program description includes: the sponsoring organization, program goals, program funding source, program implementation steps and outcomes.
  2. The program evaluation is limited to descriptive measure(s) of success/accomplishment (i.e., program participation rates, number of services/education sessions/radio messages provided). Note: oftentimes, the program has been newly implemented and a program evaluation has not yet been conducted. Programs that have not yet been evaluated, but which show promise in improving health or quality of life, are classified as Good Ideas until an evaluation is conducted.