KEYWORDS:
MCIR, Washtenaw County, Immunization Registry
BACKGROUND:
The Michigan Childhood Immunization Registry (MCIR) was one of the first registries to begin operation in 1997. Despite Michigan Law mandating reporting of immunizations, participation in MCIR remains below program goals. In 2000 MCIR reported 29% (4:3:1:3:3) complete series for 19-35 months old children
OBJECTIVE:
Assess the providers technological capabilities, Identify perceptions about incentives, barriers and proposed changes in MCIR, Determine practice characteristics, mode of reporting, recommend strategies to improve Childhood Immunization Provider (CIP) paticipation. Make recommendations to facilitate successful transition to a password secure website
METHOD:
All VFC provider sites in Washtenaw were surveyed, Indices of participation were determined from MCIR data.
Descriptive analysis was done to determine practice characteristics and perceptions of incentives, barriers and future proposed changes in MCIR and measures of association calculated
RESULT:
69% of Washtenaw County VFC provider sites reported to MCIR, 82% had Internet access, 53% MCIR trained staff, 60% desired MCIR training, 44% of VFC providers and 76% of private practices reported no patients with complete series . They appreciated all MCIR incentives, cost and time associated with entering and retrieving data were the most commonly cited barriers, 80% reported no concerns about confidentiality of MCIR data. Administrative systems were reported to be cooperative, the ability to access MCIR through a password secure website and keeping records for more than 20 years were most sought after changes.
Target was 50% complete seies rate in MCIR by October, 2002. Following Washtenaw County Health Department's (WCHD) initiative and partial implementation of recommended strategies during the study period the series completion profile in MCIR improved from 20% to 32% (60% increase). By the target date we were able to achieve a 54% rate (increase of 120%)
CONCLUSION:
Identifying incentives and barriers that impact utilization can lead to effective interventions that can result in both short term and sustained improvement in provider utilization of registries
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Recognize underutilization of computerized registries despite laws that mandate reporting of immunizations
2. Understand that registries must be integrated seamlessly into the provider environment, since added burdens are the biggest barrier to participation and utilization
Back to Registry Mandatory Reporting:
Back to The 2003 Immunization Registry Conference (October 27-29, 2003)