KEYWORDS:
Partnerships, school-based, school laws, workflow, data management, timesavings, collaboration
BACKGROUND:
The Regional Early Childhood Immunization Network (RECIN) began development in 1994. As public and private provider participation in RECIN increased, it became apparent there were gaps in immunization records. Schools maintain a wealth of immunization data on students. Linking registries with schools could close those gaps. It was evident that linkages would not only save provider’s time, but also allow them to more effectively manage the immunization status of their patients.
OBJECTIVE(S):
Develop a school-based component that will link schools and providers immunization data to create a complete immunization record and add value. Increase efficiencies in schools by automating all legal reporting requirements.
METHOD(S):
A task force of public health, private providers, and rural, urban, public, and private school personnel formed in fall 1999 to enhance RECIN by creating a school-based immunization component. Schools used RECIN as their immunization module to track their students, generate letters, and produce compliance reports.
RESULT(S):
Implementation of the school district module occurred in fall 2000. School districts have reported a timesaving of 90% in tracking student’s immunizations, generating letters and compliance reports. School reporting has increased in accuracy. Health care providers have experienced a decrease in the number of telephone calls and chart pulls for schools.
CONCLUSIONS(S):
Both schools and providers have identified benefits from the school module. Schools can track their students more accurately, and save time generating reports. Providers can focus on better patient care due in part to a more complete immunization record and the decrease in telephone calls from schools.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
To understand the advantages of using a school-based immunization component to link providers.
Web Page: www.recin.org
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Back to Grow: Partnerships and Collaborations — Part II
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